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Sheikh Mohammed to review measures to boost productivity and sustainability
As part of his fieldwork in various emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited Dubai’s International Centre for Biosalt Agriculture (ICBA), which specialises in agricultural research aimed at Improving agricultural productivity and sustainability in saline and marginal environments.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed received upon arrival by Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment; Razan Al Mubarak, Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Environment Agency (EAD), President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and ICBA Chairman of the Board; ICBA Deputy Director General Dr Tarifa Al Zaabi and some officials of the Centre.
Photo: WAM
At the beginning of his visit, the UAE President planted a Ghaf tree, which is known for its ability to withstand harsh climatic and environmental conditions and has acquired a special symbolic meaning in the UAE’s history and identity.
Photo: WAM
Sheikh Mohamed’s visit included an outdoor area that included and experimented with a variety of specially planted trees, especially those that were tolerant to salinity. The tour also includes the Desert Life Sciences Laboratory, the Gene Bank and the UAE Soil Museum.
Photo: WAM
The President heard explanations from ICBA officials about their most important achievements, national, regional and international partnerships and areas of work, as well as their future research plans. Officials detailed the plans, which include research into sustainable management of natural resources, irrigation efficiency, remote sensing, climate-adapted crops and genomic studies of healthier crops.
The UAE President praised the efforts of the Centre’s staff and the important role ICBA plays in one of the most important areas related to the development of the UAE and the world – agriculture and water resources.
His Highness emphasized that the ICBA embodies the UAE’s leadership in efforts to achieve regional and global sustainable development by investing in knowledge, innovation and scientific research to find solutions to challenges facing biosalt agriculture and soil issues. It is also innovating modern methods to optimize water use in agriculture and developing agricultural varieties that can adapt to harsh environmental and climatic conditions.
Photo: WAM
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed said the UAE has made food security a top priority in its development plans. As such, it is interested in agriculture and the use of the latest scientific and technological methods to advance agriculture and increase productivity. He said ICBA’s work confirmed the UAE’s belief that science is the main way to address the challenges facing humanity in various fields, especially agriculture and water resources.
At the conclusion of the visit, His Royal Highness expressed his best wishes to the staff and management of the Centre and urged them to continue to complement the National Agriculture, Food Security and Water Resources Programme with more important ideas and innovations.
Photo: WAM
For her part, Mariam Almheiri said that Sheikh Mohamed’s visit to ICBA “reflects the level of care, attention and support that our wise leaders have in the research, development and innovation system, and what the system represents. It serves as a A strategic pillar for the goal of creating a better future for present and future generations”.
She noted that the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, working with ICBA and other strategic partners in the public and private sectors, is keen to strengthen research, development and innovation capacity to accelerate the pace of climate action and explore new solutions. This helps to enhance food security.
Photo: WAM
Almheiri commended ICBA’s efforts to support and enhance sustained and effective R&D.
Razan Al Mubarak said: “In the context of climate change, more than ever, there is a need to invest in research to develop innovative, low-capital and replicable food production systems and plants that are not dependent on energy-intensive use, and are adapted to, degraded soils. Under the President’s direction, ICBA will continue to develop agricultural technologies that contribute to food security.
For her part, Dr Tarifa Al Zaabi said: “We are very honoured to welcome His Highness to ICBA. We are very grateful for the tremendous support the UAE Government has given our Centre over the past two decades. A great opportunity to develop and showcase the best biosalt farming practices to over 30,000 farmers. His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s visit underlines the UAE government’s particular focus on scientific research and developments in the agricultural sector.”
Photo: WAM
ICBA staff expressed their delight at the visit of the UAE President, saying that it gave them new impetus to work harder in the future.
ICBA was established in 1999 under the visionary leadership of the UAE Government, the Abu Dhabi Environment Agency and the Islamic Development Bank. Its R&D activities and programs are supported by its founders, the UAE government and the Islamic Development Bank.
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Over the years, ICBA has established itself as a global center of excellence and a preferred R&D partner in different regions. It focuses on developing tailored solutions for edge environments and has partners in more than 50 countries, enabling it to leverage a large and diverse pool of expertise for greater impact on the ground.
The center has conducted R&D activities and programs in approximately 40 countries in Central Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, the South Caucasus and Sub-Saharan Africa.
The center has also developed and introduced 24 technologies and crops in some 30 countries. They range from improved quinoa and salicobacter genotypes to drought monitoring solutions. Under its plant genetic resources programme, ICBA has distributed nearly 9,000 seed samples to scientists, farmers and other stakeholders in 57 countries.
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