(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) To enhance food safety in the country, an agricultural innovation centre was launched by Minister of Environment and Water Rashid Ahmed bin Fahd in Al Dhaid on Wednesday.
While touring the new centre, Bin Fahd examined the projects. He was also briefed on the ongoing research about greenhouse and hydroponic systems development as well as the experiments conducted to cultivate quinoa.
The centre aims to promote advancements in agriculture, and maintain sustainability in the UAE. This is planned through state-of-the-art technological innovations, research works, and relevant consultations.
The minister said the Agricultural Innovation Centre falls in line with UAE Vision 2021, which is inspired by the National Work Programme of the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The launch also complements the National Innovation Strategy recently unveiled by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. This strategy will strive to make the UAE one of the world's most innovative countries in seven years by focusing on seven major sectors, including renewable energy, technology and water.
Bin Fahd said the Agricultural Innovation Centre is part of the ministry's strategy to enhance food safety and security in the country and promote the sustainability of local production. He said it is imperative to keep the country's research on agriculture up-to-date with advancements in science and technology world over.
Following last year's successful experimental results, the ministry is planning to expand the cultivation area for quinoa and introduce the farmers to its uses and benefits. This will pave the way for the integration of quinoa, which is being used in many food industries as it offers lucrative economic returns and has the ability to grow in hot and dry climates.
The centre will coordinate with international centres and collaborate with international organisations, authorities and industry experts, namely the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations and the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Area (ICARDA). The centre will cooperate with the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) as well as participate in various joint studies covering local agricultural segments, such as a study on the effects of multiple levels of salinity on the production of some salinity-tolerant agricultural and pastoral crops.
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