International Center for Biosaline Agriculture

Dr. Tarifa Alzaabi, Acting Director General of ICBA, and Dr. Khalid Al-Khazraji, Vice-President of Zayed University, signed a memorandum of understanding to this effect in the presence of H.E. Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, UAE Minister of State for Food and Water Security, at ICBA’s headquarters in Dubai.

ICBA, Zayed University team up to support sustainable development in UAE

Signed by Dr. Tarifa Alzaabi, Acting Director General of ICBA, and Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio, Director of SEARCA, the agreement paves the way for cooperation in such areas as the implementation of programs to develop individual and institutional capacities, as well as the exchange of scientific materials, publications, and information between the two organizations.

ICBA, SEARCA partner to develop individual and institutional capacities

AWLA aims to help early- and mid-career professionals in agriculture to secure leadership roles by encouraging gender-responsive working cultures and creating platforms to showcase their intellect, capability, and contribution. AWLA’s fellows will help establish a unique R&D forum for women scientists in the MENA region to address pressing agricultural challenges and take part in a regional networking platform for women researchers across agricultural disciplines.

Arab Women Leaders in Agriculture (AWLA) fellowship program opens call for applications

As part of the trials at the center’s experimental station in Dubai, scientists will assess the adaptability of the varieties to the local conditions and determine the best irrigation method.

ICBA begins trials of salt-tolerant rice varieties in desert conditions

ICBA recently conducted several technical training activities for young people in the project areas. During these activities, the center provided participants with technical assistance and farming equipment.

Helping Tunisian youth create agri-startups

Research Themes

Management of natural resources in marginal environments

increase agricultural productivity and thus improve food, nutrition and water security, and create jobs and livelihoods for communities living in these environments

Climate change modeling and adaptation

enhance livelihoods, adaptive capacities and incomes of agricultural communities most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change

Crop improvement and sustainable production

increase adaptive capacities, livelihoods and food security of smallholder farmers and rural communities

Integrated agri-aquaculture systems

help reduce environmental footprint, increase incomes of farming communities and improve their adaptive capacities to climate change

Call for testing and demonstration of agricultural inputs and technologies suitable for use in marginal environments at ICBA research station

Research Publications

2021

Development of Quinoa Value Chain to Improve Food and Nutritional Security in Rural Communities in Rehamna, Morocco: Lessons Learned and Perspectives

2021

Validation and Comparison of Physical Models for Soil Salinity Mapping over an Arid Landscape Using Spectral Reflectance Measurements and Landsat-OLI Data

2021

Effect of irrigation salinity and ecotype on the growth, physiological indicators and seed yield and quality of Salicornia europaea

Current Projects

November 2019 - October 2024

Creation of agricultural startups for Tunisian youth

November 2019 - October 2024

Introduction of value chains for stress-resilient crops to support the development of sustainable rural communities in Kasserine, Tunisia

March 2019 - February 2023

Improving agricultural resilience to salinity and climate change through development and promotion of pro-poor technologies and management strategies (RESADE)

Corporate Publications

ICBA at 20: A Look at History

ICBA at 20: Stories of Success

One-page infographic about ICBA

ICBA Strategy: Refresh 2019-2023

Multimedia

Quinoa, a future-proof crop for food security (Animation)