UAE: Meet 10-year-old 'young farmer' who grows fruits, vegetables in his backyard
Musleh Saeed Al Aryani, at only 10 years old, is transforming the agricultural world. It all started at the age of four during autumn visits to his grandmother’s farm, where his love for farming was cultivated.
Fast forward six years and he has turned his tiny backyard into a thriving garden, growing a wide selection of fruits and vegetables that he uses to create "protein bombs" - a nutritious blend of natural vegan ingredients.
Most recently, Musleh was honored at an agricultural exhibition where he was presented by Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak. The minister of climate change and environment for the UAE said some heartwarming words in his honor, such as her “favorite young farmer,” underscoring the significance of the youth in agriculture.
"Watercress was the first plant I tried growing,” Musleh commemored. “My grandmother's farming activities served as my baseline, and I attempted to copy them step by step. As a kid, I was somewhat disruptive, but I’ve improved a lot.” Sheikh Zayed's saying comes to mind, “Give me agriculture and I will give you civilization," and this certainly resonates with Musleh.
Now, Musleh has also incorporated carrots, peppers, garlic, eggplant, potatoes, cauliflower, cherry peppers, and even cherry tomatoes into the impressive repertoire of crops he has grown throughout his garden. Moreover, he cites self-motivation as a central reason for achieving success: “If I mess up, I don’t stop; I just keep going.”
Over time, Masleh grew more confident and skilled in his craft, expanding his farming space beyond the original small plot that was assigned to him as a child in the yard. This was also thanks to the support of his father, Saeed, who provided his child with the guidance and tools needed. As a result of his hard work, Musleh has reached a stage where he is able to provide self-sufficient produce for the family with little to no support.
"Mother helps with everything," Musleh conveyed. They have been able to create a wide range of different recipes together, one of their favorites being what they refer to as a ‘protein bomb’ made from mung beans mixed with olive oil, thyme, fenugreek, cumin, turmeric, and black cumin.
Apart from cultivating crops, Musleh’s journey has been about reconciling his passion. He exhibits his produce in various exhibitions and actively interacts with other farming lovers on Instagram.
In a bid to further his aspirations, Musleh hopes to achieve a dream of being an agricultural engineer and aims to develop new innovations to add to his existing farms. “I want to keep growing and learning,” he stated, encapsulating the spirit of the UAE towards its advancements in agriculture.
During her address, Dr. Amna underlined the need to reinforce Emirati farmers saying, “Food security cannot be achieved without well-supported farmers.”
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