Abu Dhabi, UAE – What began as a childhood pastime involving small plants in empty Nido canisters has flourished into a transformative journey of healing and innovation for Hussain Al Hosani.
The 41-year-old patients’ affairs officer at the National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) has turned his passion for agriculture into a lifeline for patients, a source of community nourishment, and a sustainable business venture.
Growing up, Al Hosani’s early attempts at gardening were short-lived. “Everything I planted died so quickly,” he recalled. “I wasn’t aware that plants are like humans—they require care and nutrition, such as vitamins.”
Decades later, this childhood curiosity evolved into a serious pursuit when, in 2020, he decided to transform the balcony of his new home into a mini greenhouse.
This decision marked the beginning of an educational journey. Al Hosani enrolled in Gracia Group’s incubator programme, which teaches Emiratis advanced farming techniques.
“Thanks to agritech, you can grow anything in greenhouses regardless of the space. It’s all automated,” he explained.
His initial balcony setup, measuring just 5 by 5 square meters, became a flourishing hub for growing spinach, iceberg lettuce, strawberries, and other produce.
Encouraged by his success, Al Hosani expanded his passion to his workplace. At the NRC, he introduced a weekly horticultural therapy programme that has benefited over 100 patients in the past year and a half.
Under the initiative ‘Green City,’ patients practice traditional and high-tech farming in a serene oasis featuring a greenhouse and workshops.
“The healing effect is evident,” Al Hosani said. “When you see the joy they experience picking the crops they’ve nurtured, and later sharing them with their families, it’s a transformative moment.”
The programme’s success led to another initiative, ‘Hasad al Beit’ (Home Harvest), which distributes the fresh produce to patients’ families and over 200 NRC employees.
Among the crops grown are cucumbers, lettuce, arugula, and parsley—all cultivated using organic fertilizers and hydroponic methods.
Outside the NRC, Al Hosani’s ambitions have grown even larger. He rents greenhouses at Abu Dhabi’s Gracia Farm, where he applies the advanced techniques he learned, including using rock wool to optimize water retention and aeration.
The greenhouses yield multiple cycles of produce from a single resource, ensuring efficiency and sustainability.
Starting next week, Al Hosani will open his farm to visitors, turning it into a tourist attraction. For a fee of Dh10, guests can tour the greenhouses and pick their own fruits and vegetables.
Al Hosani has also ventured into food production under his brand ‘Ghilal,’ which means ‘blessings of the earth.’ His offerings include pickled vegetables, with plans to expand into poultry and egg sales.
“Mental rest that comes from farming can only be sensed by one who lives it,” Al Hosani said, reflecting on his journey.
From nurturing plants in a humble balcony greenhouse to building thriving communities through agriculture, Al Hosani has redefined farming as a tool for healing and growth.