In the presence of Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, Prof. Khaled Amiri, a member of ICBA’s Board of Directors, and global visionary Sadhguru, founder of Conscious Planet, signed the agreement during Sadhguru’s visit to Jubail Mangrove Park in Abu Dhabi. After the signing, Sadhguru, Her Excellency, Prof. Khaled Amiri, and several VIP guests participated in mangrove planting, organized by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) in cooperation with Jubail Island within the framework of the Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative, which was launched recently and aims to enhance mangrove habitats as part of the UAE’s blue carbon ecosystems.
The visit was part of Sadhguru’s agenda during the UAE stop on his ‘Journey to Save Soil’ from London to the southern tip of India, spanning 100 days, 30,000 kilometers, and 27 countries. Through his solo motorcycle trip, he aims to address the soil crisis by bringing together people from around the world to stand up for soil health and supporting leaders in developing and implementing national policies to save soil. The UAE leg of Sadhguru’s journey will culminate with a large-scale public event at Dubai World Trade Centre on May 20 that is expected to attract 10,000 people.
Under the terms of the MoU, ICBA and Conscious Planet will collaborate to raise public awareness about the importance of soil conservation, empower stakeholders, provide training, and facilitate knowledge exchange on the topic in the region. The two entities will also support each other’s relevant initiatives.
International Center for Biosaline Agriculture Signs Cooperation Agreement with Conscious Planet Movement to Save Soil
18 May 2022
The International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) and the Conscious Planet Movement to Save Soil (Conscious Planet) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to initiate cooperation in protecting food-producing agricultural soil in the UAE from degradation.
Under the project titled “Evaluation of diverse and nutrient-rich, climate-resilient crops/accessions for dietary diversification in marginal environments”, ten food crops such as pearl millet, finger millet, foxtail millet, fonio, proso millet, barnyard millet, buckwheat, moth bean and spices (cumin and ajwain) have been tested under varying salinity conditions.
Millets show promise for dietary diversification in arid, saline environments
14 May 2022
Researchers at the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) are evaluating different nutritious and resilient crops for dietary diversification and adaptability in marginal environments such as the UAE.
As part of a study under way at ICBA’s research station in Dubai in collaboration with the South Korean company AgroTech Co. Ltd., the scientists are looking to develop, test and introduce a sustainable vertical farming system that can help to increase agricultural production in hot and arid conditions while consuming much less water and energy compared to standard systems.
ICBA evaluates new vertical farming system for arid conditions
10 May 2022
Scientists at the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) are assessing a new vertical farming system better adapted for hot and arid environments such as the UAE.
