Jabal Deem: 3 Secrets of the Ultimate Mountain Farm
1 day ago
4 min read
While many projects begin on already prepared land, Jabal Deem began with the mountain itself. Sitting about 850 metres above sea level in Kalba, it might not seem ideal for farming, a summit spot, or a market stall, given its steep slopes. Yet Jabal Deem has managed to become all three by turning the mountain’s slope, height, and exposure into advantages instead of challenges.
Since work began in 2022, engineers and agronomists have collaborated to transform slopes into productive terraces. In the same team, architects designed a summit rest area that highlights the view. A few months ago, Jabal Deem products were available at a market stall in Kalba.
Today, this mountain brings together three stories: land, landmark, and local produce.
Terracing a Mountain Into Farmland
The terraces, retaining walls, paths, shaded areas, and irrigation all work as a single system rather than as separate parts. Records show there are 141 terraces across Zones 3, 5, and 6, covering 66,554 square metres and holding more than 113,000 cubic metres of soil. The retaining walls hold the soil, terraces create flat spaces for farming, paths make it easier to move around and maintain the area, and the irrigation system is built for the mountain’s height and slope. All these features turn the mountain itself into part of the farm.
The variety of crops highlights the project’s ambition. By May 2024, there were 4,595 trees and plants: 3,053 olive trees from 29 varieties, 670 apple trees, 500 grapevines, 112 pomegranate trees, and 260 trees from 16 other fruit types. Olives have been the clearest sign that the project is moving from construction to production. In 2024, the terraces had three harvests, with a total of one tonne collected. The project also reused about 8,000 cubic metres of mountain stone, keeping both the material and its value on site rather than removing them.
Published summit masterplan / project visual source: SharjahNews
A Summit Built Around the View
Above the terraces, the Above the Clouds Rest Area turns the summit into a place for views, gatherings, and discovery, not just a building at high altitude. At over 800 metres, the rest area has a crescent- or disc-shaped form that fits the summit. It features a restaurant and reading area with a 360-degree view. The lower level includes a multipurpose hall, prayer rooms, and the main kitchen. The roof is a viewing platform and has space for an open-air theatre. The building covers 4,775 square metres and includes an indoor restaurant for 220 people, an outdoor terrace for 48 people, and a multipurpose hall for 150 people. people
Reaching the summit is designed to be part of the experience. The Road Above the Clouds is about 12 kilometres long and has two main sections. It links the Wadi Al Helo Tunnel area to the rest area through Kalba’s road network. Bridges, drainage, and safety features are built for the mountain landscape. Rather than just serving as a road, it offers a gradual journey up to the summit.
Published architectural visualization / source: SharjahNews
From Terrace to Table
The terraces and summit also help with another goal: producing products for the local market. Kalba City Municipality and the Sharjah Initiatives Implementation Authority (Mubadara) introduced Jabal Deem grapes and pickled olives at Souq Al Jubail in Kalba.
Looking ahead, the team is expanding operations to include grapes, olives, and apples. Since each fruit requires specific timing and care for harvesting and sorting, they have set up a clear tracking system. Now, they can trace every single piece of produce straight from the soil it grew in all the way to the market.
This careful planning makes traceability possible. Jabal Deem can link each product to its terrace or growing area, variety, harvest date, and where it was sold. In the future, a digital code on the packaging could let customers see exactly where their olives or grapes were grown and how they reached the store. This connection between "the place you see" and "the product you taste" also adds a tourism element to Jabal Deem. Visitors who explore the terraces and enjoy the summit view can then buy a product with the same name.
Published architectural visualization / source: SharjahNews
One Mountain, Several Systems
At its core, Jabal Deem brings together different fields. It combines civil engineering, agriculture, architecture, product development, and communication, always adapting to the mountain’s unique features. H.H. Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, announced in May 2026 that Jabal Deem, including its roads, landscaping, farming, and rest area, will open in December 2026.
The main idea behind Jabal Deem is not simply to build on a mountain. Instead, it brings together engineering, architecture, and agriculture to make the mountain itself the experience.
About Kalba City Municipality
Kalba City Municipality is the municipal authority serving Kalba in the Emirate of Sharjah. It operates within Sharjah’s municipal government system and contributes to municipal services, urban quality of life, local development, and the stewardship of a city distinguished by its coastal, mountainous, environmental, and heritage character.
\
