Saline Agriculture Technologies UAE Combats Desertification
Pioneering Efforts in Sustainable Agriculture
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is taking a leading role in developing and supporting saline agriculture technologies to combat desertification and restore degraded lands in the Arab world. This effort is crucial in the face of climate change and water scarcity, which pose significant challenges to the region.
Addressing Water Scarcity and Food Security
According to Dr. Mahmoud Fathallah, Director of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Meteorology at the Arab League, the UAE, along with Saudi Arabia, is placing significant emphasis on saline agriculture technologies to address issues related to water scarcity, increased food demand, and desertification. These technologies are critical in rehabilitating degraded land and increasing agricultural productivity.
Rehabilitating Degraded Lands
Soil salinisation is a key method in saline agriculture technologies, which involves rehabilitating degraded land and increasing agricultural productivity. This approach is critical in addressing the challenges posed by desertification, water scarcity, and climate change. Moreover, the UAE’s commitment to combating desertification is evident in its expansion of protected areas, which now number 49 and cover 15.5 per cent of the country’s territory.
Tree Planting Initiatives
The UAE has launched ambitious tree planting campaigns, notably pledging to sow 100 million mangrove seedlings by 2030. Correspondingly, this verdant initiative combats desertification while bolstering biodiversity conservation efforts. In tandem, the nation champions Saline Agriculture Technologies to revolutionize farming in salt-affected areas. Subsequently, these salt-tolerant cultivation methods transform barren lands into productive agricultural zones. Consequently, the symbiosis of reforestation and innovative farming practices fortifies the ecosystem. Henceforth, these multifaceted approaches pave the way for sustainable land management and food security.
Regional Cooperation and International Efforts
The importance of saline agriculture technologies in combating desertification was highlighted at a recent regional workshop held at the General Secretariat of the Arab League. The five-day workshop was organised as part of the G20 Global Initiative on Reducing Land Degradation and Enhancing Conservation of Terrestrial Habitats, which is based at the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
The UAE spearheads the development of Saline Agriculture Technologies, tackling desertification head-on. Furthermore, this pioneering approach addresses water scarcity and climate change in the Arab world. Consequently, the nation’s efforts are pivotal in shaping a sustainable agricultural landscape. Moreover, the adoption of these innovative farming methods is paramount for restoring degraded lands. In essence, these salt-tolerant cultivation techniques pave the way for a food-secure future. Ultimately, the UAE’s commitment to these practices safeguards resources for generations to come.
Source: Emirates News Agency – WAM