Cabinet Resolution Regarding the National Agriculture Center

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Cabinet Resolution Regarding the National Agriculture Center

The last update on this law was listed on 22 Oct 2024

Issued Date: 22 Oct 2024
Effective Date: 01 Nov 2024
Official Gazette Date: 31 Oct 2024
Official Gazette No: 786
Legislation State: Active

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to produce an accurate and complete English version of this website/ legislation. However, for the purpose of their interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text will prevail

Index
Article (1) Definitions
Article (2) Establishment of the Center
Article (3) Headquarters of the Center
Article (4) Competences of the Center
Article (5) Management of the Center
Article (6) Competences and Powers of the Board of Directors
Article (7) Director of the Center
Article (8) Administrative Body
Article (9) Fiscal Year
Article (10) Financial Resources
Article (11) Service Fees of the Center
Article (12) Audit of Accounts
Article (13) Owning, Buying, or Establishing Companies
Article (14) Legislations Applicable to the Center
Article (15) Administrative and Logistical Support
Article (16) Publication and Entry into Force

Cabinet Resolution No. (118) of 2024 Regarding the National Agriculture Center

The Cabinet,
− Having reviewed the Constitution,
− Federal Law No. (1) of 1972 Regarding the Competences of Ministries and Powers of Ministers, as amended, and
− Upon the proposal of the Minister of Climate Change and Environment and the approval of the Cabinet,
Hereby resolves as follows:

Article (1) Definitions

For the purposes of implementing the provisions of this Resolution, the following words and expressions shall have the meanings assigned to each of them, unless the context requires otherwise:
State: The United Arab Emirates.
Ministry: The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.
Minister: The Minister of Climate Change and Environment.
Center: The National Agriculture Center.
Chairman: The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Center.
Board of Directors: The Board of Directors of the Center.
Director: The Director of the Center.

Article (2) Establishment of the Center

A center named the "National Agriculture Center" shall be established pursuant to the provisions of this Resolution. It shall possess a legal personality, enjoy financial and administrative independence, and have the legal capacity required to undertake all actions and dispositions necessary to exercise its competences. The Center shall report to the Minister.

Article (3) Headquarters of the Center

The headquarters of the Center shall be located in the city of Dubai, and it may, upon a recommendation from the Board of Directors, establish other branches or offices within the State pursuant to a resolution issued by the Minister.

Article (4) Competences of the Center

The Center shall have the following competences:
1. Preparing and implementing the initiatives and programs necessary for the development of local agricultural production, and enhancing its quality and competitiveness, in a manner that supports the achievement of the national strategies and targets for food security and sustainable agricultural development.
2. Providing grants and financing programs to support innovative projects in the agricultural sector, including projects aimed at enhancing productivity and quality, improving the supply chain, reducing the costs of agricultural production, minimizing losses in agricultural products, improving the marketing of local agricultural products, and other projects that provide added value to the State.
3. Developing and implementing the initiatives necessary to support the adoption of innovation, technology, technical solutions, and modern agricultural methods.
4. Developing and implementing initiatives to encourage organic farming, support and expand organic farms in the State, and enhance their productivity.
5. Developing and implementing empowerment, qualification, and specialized training programs for farmers.
6. Providing agricultural extension and technical advisory services to support farmers in implementing and developing their projects, marketing their products, and in other agricultural fields, in coordination with the Ministry and the concerned entities in the State.
7. Organizing national and international events, forums, and campaigns to support and promote local agricultural products and exchange best practices in the field of sustainable agricultural development.
8. Supporting applied research and study projects aimed at enhancing the efficiency, productivity, and quality of agricultural production in the State.
9. Establishing strategic partnerships with government and private entities in the industrial, food, restaurant, and hospitality sectors, and other sectors, to encourage the consumption of local agricultural products and enhance their competitiveness compared to imported products.
10. Developing and implementing investment programs that generate sustainable returns that contribute to the enhancement of local agricultural production.
11. Establishing and organizing a comprehensive database of information and data related to the competences of the Center at the State level, in coordination with the concerned entities, and achieving integration with them in the exchange of information and data.
12. Establishing partnerships to conduct specialized studies and research in areas related to the competences of the Center in coordination with educational institutions, research centers, and local organizations, including the monitoring and analysis of regional and international phenomena, risks, and trends.
13. Any other competences conferred upon it by virtue of laws, regulations, or resolutions issued by the Cabinet or the Board of Directors.

Article (5) Management of the Center

The Center shall be managed by a Board of Directors chaired by the Minister, and comprising a number of members whose formation shall be determined by a Resolution issued by the Cabinet, upon the proposal of the Minister. The formation resolution shall specify the Board's term, rules of procedure, and remuneration.

Article (6) Competences and Powers of the Board of Directors

1. Approving the general policy of the Center and the necessary strategic plans, programs, and projects, in accordance with the procedures followed in this regard, and overseeing their implementation after their approval by the Minister.
2. Approving innovative projects in the field of agriculture and the associated grants and submitting them to the Minister for approval.
3. Adopting effective programs for investment and partnership with various sectors to support the achievement of the objectives of the Center.
4. Determining the support priorities provided by the Center in the agricultural fields, and submitting them to the Minister for approval.
5. Establishing one or more independent financial accounts for the Center, in accordance with the financial procedures in force in the Federal Government.
6. Adopting the systems, regulations, and work plans necessary for the proper functioning of the Center in accordance with the legislations in force in this regard.
7. Approving the organizational structure of the Center and submitting it to the Cabinet for approval.
8. Approving the financial, procurement, contracting, accounting, and human resources regulations, and submitting them to the Minister for presentation to the Cabinet for approval, by way of exception to the provisions of any legislation in force in the Ministry and the Federal Government.
9. Approving the draft annual budget of the Center and its closing account, in accordance with the financial legislations in force at the Center and submitting them to the Minister for approval.
10. Appointing one or more auditors, when required, and determining their fees.
11. Forming permanent or temporary committees and work teams to enable the Center to carry out its competences, and determining the competences of such committees and work teams and their rules of procedure.
12. Accepting donations, subsidies, and grants in line with the competences of the Center and in accordance with the legislations in force in this regard.
13. Any other competences, powers, or tasks conferred upon it by virtue of laws, regulations, or resolutions of the Cabinet, or as assigned thereto by the Minister.
The Board of Directors may delegate some of its competences or powers to the Chairman, provided that such delegation is in writing and is specific.

Article (7) Director of the Center

The Center shall have a Director, whose appointment and grade shall be determined by a resolution issued by the Minister. The Director shall undertake the following competences and tasks:
1. Proposing policies, strategies, and legislations related to the competences entrusted to the Center, submitting them to the Board of Directors, and supervising their implementation after approval.
2. Participating in formulating the general policy of the Center, its strategic plans and programs, and supervising their implementation after approval.
3. Proposing effective programs for investment and partnership with various sectors to support the achievement of the objectives of the Center and presenting them to the Board of Directors for approval.
4. Proposing the systems, regulations, and work plans necessary for the proper functioning of the Center and presenting them to the Board of Directors for approval.
5. Following up on the implementation of the plans, programs, projects, and activities supervised, managed, or implemented by the Center.
6. Supervising the preparation of the draft annual budget and the closing account of the Center, presenting them to the Board of Directors for approval, and following up on the implementation of the budget within the approved appropriations allocated thereto.
7. Supervising the organizational units affiliated thereto, following up on their achievements and performance results, and proposing the necessary systems and procedures to contribute to performance improvement and development.
8. Submitting periodic reports on the Center's workflow, achievements, and performance of the Center, and presenting them to the Board of Directors and the Minister.
9. Participating in representing the Center before third parties and the judiciary, in accordance with the powers vested therein.
10. Appointing employees and consultants and terminating their services, in accordance with the legislations in force in this regard.
11. Concluding the contracts and agreements necessary for the exercise of the competences of the Center in accordance with the legislations in force in this regard.
12. Any other competences, tasks, or powers conferred thereupon by virtue of laws or regulations or assigned thereto by the Minister or the Board of Directors.
The Director may delegate some of their competences or powers to senior employees of the Center as they deem appropriate, provided that such delegation is in writing and is specific.

Article (8) Administrative Body

The Center shall have an administrative body to assist it in exercising its assigned competences, and its members shall be appointed in accordance with the human resources legislation in force at the Center.

Article (9) Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the Center shall begin on the first day of January and end on the thirty-first day of December of each year, provided that the first fiscal year of the Center shall commence on the date of entry into force of this Resolution and end on the thirty-first day of December of the year of its issuance.

Article (10) Financial Resources

1. The financial resources of the Center shall consist of:
a. The financial appropriations allocated to the Center from the Ministry's budget or the federal budget.
b. The financial appropriations allocated to the Center from the Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS) UAE Fund.
c. The proceeds from investments and activities carried out by the Center and the services it provides.
d. Donations, subsidies, sponsorships, and grants provided to the Center and accepted by the Board of Directors.
e. The surplus realized from the implementation of the approved annual budget of the Center.
f. Any other resources approved by the Minister.
2. The Center shall retain the financial resources collected, and the surpluses realized from the implementation of its annual budgets, as an exception to the financial legislation in force in the Federal Government.

Article (11) Service Fees of the Center

The Center may collect fees for the services it provides, provided that such fees and the list of services shall be approved by a Resolution of the Cabinet, upon the proposal of the Minister of Finance, after coordination with the Minister.

Article (12) Audit of Accounts

1. The Center may contract with a licensed auditor in the State to audit its accounts, in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles.
2. The Center shall be subject to the supervision of the UAE Accountability Authority and shall provide it with all data or information it requests concerning its activities.

Article (13) Owning, Buying, or Establishing Companies

The Center may support or sponsor establishments related to its competences. It may own, purchase, or establish any establishment, either independently or in partnership with third parties, and may also provide financial support to companies owned by any local or federal government bodies or authorities or by private companies, in a manner that achieves the Center's competences and in accordance with the regulations and powers approved by the Minister.

Article (14) Legislations Applicable to the Center

Unless a special provision is made in this Resolution or in the regulations pertaining to the Center, and for the purpose of enabling the Center to exercise its competences, the Center shall apply the legislations in force in the Ministry and in the Federal Government concerning human resources, financial, accounting, procurement, and contracting affairs, until the issuance of the regulations specific to the Center in accordance with the provisions of this Resolution.

Article (15) Administrative and Logistical Support

1. For the purposes of operating the Center, during the first three years of its operation, the Ministry shall provide administrative and logistical support to the Center. The provision of such support may be extended for additional periods by a Resolution of the Cabinet.
2. The Ministry may engage the Center to carry out certain competences related to agricultural affairs, in a manner that ensures the integration of roles.

Article (16) Publication and Entry into Force

This Resolution shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall enter into force on the day following the date of its publication.

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