From pursuing a degree in horticulture to landing her dream job as a grower with Pure Harvest Smart Farms, Emirati national Salama Al Kaabi is committed to growing the best quality tomatoes at the company's state-of-the-art greenhouse in Al Ain.
Why did you become a grower and what has your journey been like to get here?
I graduated from United Arab Emirates University with a major in horticulture. Like any horticultural student, it’s essential to work in that field. I completed an internship with the agricultural authority and after graduating, I started to grow my own products and crops at home. One day I was looking at Instagram and saw the Pure Harvest page. I was amazed with the sophisticated technology they were using to grow their own tomatoes. I contacted them and interviewed with them. After I joined Pure Harvest, I learned a lot. And when it comes to harvesting day, we are just amazed by the taste of the tomato, especially the candy, COV and TOV.
What is COV and TOV for people who don’t know?
COV is cherry on vine, and TOV is tomato on vine.
What is your favourite out of all of them?
Cherry on vine, of course!
Why do you think Pure Harvest and this type of futuristic farming is important for the UAE?
The UAE government is encouraging and supportive of the agricultural sector. During the pandemic, there were a lot of demands on growing products in the UAE and reducing imports from other countries around the world. Additionally, to raise the country’s food security, it’s better to have your own products in the local market. As long as we have this type of sophisticated technology, we will be able to grow whatever you want, especially with these greenhouses.
How do you feel coming to work every day? What excites you about your job?
As a horticulturalist, it’s really nice to be able to work in your field. As a grower, you wake up early and check your own plants. You treat them like your babies! And we have other growers; we all work together to make sure the greenhouse operates as the market needs. We have perfect training from the head growers and other growers. It’s not just a place to work, but it’s also a place to learn new things. It’s a place to work, to learn, to develop yourself, to communicate with other people of different nationalities… in that way you build your knowledge and gain more information about the products you are working with.
