Abu Dhabi, Feb. 28, 2007 (WAM) -- Prince Charles todaypaid a glowing tribute to Abu Dhabi Organics, Abu Dhabi's onlyorganic farm.

The Prince of Wales, a keen advocate of organic farming, wasspeaking at the company's stand at Al Khubairat School in AbuDhabi.

Abu Dhabi Organics will go into full production in November 2007with a wide range of fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy productsgrown and harvested on its site.

The company's produce will cost the same as or less than existing,non-organic foodstuffs.

The Prince was met at the stand by Mahra Al Shamsi, an 11-year-oldEmirati environmentalist, who gave Prince Charles a brief introductionto Abu Dhabi Organics.

Prince Charles said he was astonished that it is possible togrow such a wide variety of fruit and vegetables in such an aridenvironment, and added that he thought the project was "fascinating".

Ilke Toklu, spokeswoman for Abu Dhabi Organics, said she washonoured to host the heir to the British monarchy. "His RoyalHighness Prince Charles is one of the world's most vocal advocatesof organic farming, and his visit to Abu Dhabi Organics addsnew momentum to our vision of promoting a healthier lifestylein the UAE and abroad," said Mrs Toklu.

"Our aim is to turn Abu Dhabi into a showpiece for organic farmingand to prove that it is possible to turn desert land into luscious,green fields, and the approval of dignitaries such as the Princeof Wales brings us closer to that important goal," she added.

The Prince, who recently collected the Global Environmental CitizenAward in New York from former US Vice-President Al Gore, foundedhis own organic food company, Duchy Originals, in 1992.

Since then the company, which donates its profits to charity,has become one of the UK's most successful organic brands.

Abu Dhabi Organics is currently in the process of being accreditedby the Rome, Italy-based Instituto Per La Certificazione EticaAmbientale (ICEA), ECOCERT International and the Soil Associationof the UK.

The pilot project has been cultivating organic food for the pastfive years, in which time Abu Dhabi Organics has been distributingits fruit, vegetables and herbs to selected companies and individuals.