ICBA News (2013) 
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Please find below ICBA news of 2013:
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Delegation from the National Research Foundation visits ICBA
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18 June 2013
Dr. Husam Al-Ulama, Director of National Research Foundation (NRF) and Dr. Ahmed
Alosi, Research Program Manager of NRF visited the International Center for
Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) on 18 June 2013. The distinguished NRF delegation
met with Dr. Ismahane Elouafi, Director General of ICBA, along with Dr. Ahmed Al
Sharif, Deputy Director General, Dr. Mohammed Amrani, Director of Research and
Innovations, and Ms. Fiona Chandler, Director of International Cooperation and
Partnership. Both parties discussed collaboration and partnership opportunities.
Dr. Elouafi said, “We’ve had the pleasure of engaging in previous discussion
with NRF however this was their first visit to ICBA and resulted in a very
fruitful discussion. We saw a number of areas where we are very much in
alignment with the National Research Foundation. I think in terms of benefits to
the UAE, the partnership will provide a lot of benefit to the research community
in the country.”
While commenting on the outcomes of the meeting, Mrs. Chandler highlighted that
this was a meeting to explore each other’s programs and to find out more about
what NRF is working on and to share with them ICBA projects and expertise. Fiona
added there are some areas that are fertile for future collaboration such as a
workshop on soil that NRF is organizing in September and a possible internship
program.
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ICBA
CELEBRATES WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 2013
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5 June 2013
World Environment Day, initiated by UNEP in 1972, is an annual event celebrated
worldwide on 5 June, and is the biggest and most widely celebrated global day for
positive environmental action. To mark the celebration of World Environment Day,
the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) launched a campaign to
replace the potentially hazardous Damas trees (Conocarpus lancifolius) at the Center
with more appropriate species.
Dr. Ismahane Elouafi (Director General of ICBA), Dr. Ahmed Al Sharif (Deputy Director
General)
The Damas tree, native to coastal and riverine areas of Somalia, Djibouti, and Yemen,
is found throughout East Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and South Asia. On the outside,
the Damas tree is permanently green and has been used in landscaping providing shade
and a nice form. However, the Damas is increasingly being called a ‘menace’ to several
urban areas across Dubai because the roots damage underground piping systems, drains,
walls and swimming pools in residential areas. Authorities at the Dubai Municipality
have launched an awareness campaign on the Damas tree and its threats to urban areas.
Damas also poses another potential threat because the pollen affects the health
of people suffering from asthma patients. A study, dating back to 2008, on airborne
pollen conducted by the Karachi University’s botany department has identified Concarpus
as one of 12 plant species that cause allergies in Karachi.
A suitable alternative to Damas is the Ghaf tree (Prosopis cineraria). This attractive
flowering tree is native to the UAE and is common in Al Ain, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and
Ajman. It is particularly suited to sandy places; tolerates dry and saline conditions;
is nitrogen fixing, meaning it enriches the soil, and its deep roots avoid competition
for water with crops. The Ghaf tree is highly salt-tolerant being able to grow on
up to half seawater salinity. It is used for ornamental purposes, to feed animals
and has several known folk medicinal usages.
Dr. Ismahane Elouafi (Director General of ICBA)
Dr. Ismahane Elouafi, Director General of ICBA, said, “On World Environment Day,
we are taking the opportunity to launch our campaign to replace the Damas trees
located around our facilities and replace these with more appropriate species. Along
our belief in promoting the right species, we will be replacing them with native
trees to the UAE such as the Ghaf tree”.
Dr. Ahmed Al Sharif, Deputy Director General at ICBA, adds, “The International Center
for Biosaline Agriculture is pleased to initiate this campaign of replacing the
Damas trees with the Ghaf trees as part of the Ministry’s initiative to eradicate
the Damas tree from urban regions within the UAE”.
Launching the campaign on 5 June is part of a set of activities at the Center to
raise awareness on the environment.
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Delegation
from the National Assembly of Nigeria Visits ICBA
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30 May 2013
A delegation of six distinguished members of the National Assembly of Nigeria accompanied
by Dr. Waleed Ahmad Addas, Lead Operations Officer at the Islamic Development Bank
(IDB) and Mr. Gambo Shuaibu, IDB Executive Director, visited the International Center
for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) on 30 May 2013 and discussed various collaboration
opportunities.
The Nigerian delegation was lead by Honorable Mulikat Akande Adeola and included
each of Senator Ehigie Edobor Uzamere, Honorable Haruna Manu, Honorable Chukwudi
Victor Jones Onyereri, Honorable Umaru Bago Mohammed, and Senator Bello Mohammad
Tukur.
Dr. Ismahane Elouafi, Director General of ICBA, along with Dr. Ahmed Al Sharif,
Deputy Director General, Dr. Mohammed Amrani, Director of Research and Innovations,
and Ms. Fiona Chandler, Director of International Cooperation and Partnership, along
with senior scientists from the various ICBA fields of specializations attended
this meeting with the Nigerian delegation.
 The Nigerian
delegation and ICBA management and scientists discussed several collaborative opportunities
between ICBA and the Nigerian government in terms of policy, land, water management,
and agriculture value chain. Following the discussions, the participants went on
a field visit to the various research fields, labs and gene bank of ICBA, where
they got detailed information on ongoing research from the respective scientist
in charge.
Dr. Elouafi said, “This was a great opportunity that reflects the strong relationship
between IDB and ICBA. Meeting this distinguished Nigerian delegation opens various
doors for ICBA, and comes in line with the new ICBA strategy for 2013-2023, where
ICBA seeks to build stronger partnerships and to extend its geographical outreach.
We see that ICBA is capable of providing substantial contributions to tackling problems
related to marginal lands and marginal water resources in Nigeria and we look forward
to pursuing these opportunities with our new partners from Nigeria.”
 Honorable
Mulikat Akande Adeola said, “The visit today has been quite interesting and knowledgeable
for us… We must take advantage of what ICBA is doing to be able to protect our people
from hunger, to be able to diversify the type of agriculture that we are involved
in right now. I think this center is a center of excellence. I think that ICBA is
the best place to reach out to in terms of agricultural preservation and sustainability
for the future.”
Dr. Waleed Ahmad Addas said, “It is my honor to visit the International Center for
Biosaline Agriculture and I am extremely glad and grateful for the great work ICBA
is doing for agriculture, water and the environment in the IDB member countries.”
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Innovations in Agriculture and Food Security Highlighted at IDB Annual Meeting
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20 May 2013
Dushanbe, Tajikistan – The International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA)
and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) co-organized a forum to present and discuss
policy and technological innovations in agriculture and food security during the
38th Annual Meeting of IDB in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on 20 May 2013. This cooperation
reflects more than a decade of strong partnership between ICBA and IDB.
 The Forum was designed
to highlight a selection of recent innovations in policy and technology to tackle
issues affecting food security. With a wide selection of panelists from the private
and public sector, from local, regional and global perspectives and moderated by
Mr. Malcolm Taylor, the Forum attracted an audience of over 200 people.
In his welcome remarks, H.E. Murodali Alimardon, Deputy Prime Minister of Tajikistan,
said "in recent years climate change, natural disasters, and [the economic]
crisis had a negative impact on food security in the country. Arable and irrigated
land in Tajikistan is limited since 93% of the country is covered by mountains and
crop land is around 3.2% and out of which 81% is for seasonal pastures”. He added,
“There is a need to accelerate technical and scientific development and diversification
of agricultural sector.”
 Noted experts from the
policy perspective included Jeffrey Sachs, Director of The Earth Institute at Colombia
University; H.E. Dr. Kosimov Kosim, Minister of Agriculture of Tajikistan; Dr. Sergey
Kiselev, Director General of Eurasian Center for Food Security in Moscow; Demba
Ba, Director of Agricultural and Rural Development in IDB, and Dr. Ismahane Elouafi,
Director General of ICBA. The panel agreed on the need for sustained global recognition
and action on food security issues through the UN, G8 and G20 deliberations, that
changes in behavior will be necessary and that policy and institutions (both public
and private) have a role to play.
The second panel tackled technical solutions now being designed and implemented.
Hans Hassle, the CEO of Plantagon, a company specializing in urban agriculture,
said that to grow large amounts of food in urban environments we will need to go
vertical, a technology his company specializes in. Chang Hoo Chun, Senior Advisor
at Gyeonggi Agricultural Research and Extension Services spoke about his organizations
success in precision agriculture. Innovation is seed production and equipment and
adapting these to local environments was explained by Stephen Hill, Managing Director
of Kimseed International, with explanation on innovations in optimizing resources
described by Dr. Shoaib Ismail, Senior Scientist at ICBA. Other innovations from
a regional and local level were provided Dr. Hukmatullo Akhmadov, President of Tajik
Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Dr. Serikbay Keninbaev, former Director General
of Kasagro.
 In his concluding remarks,
Mr. Fawzi Al Sultan, Chairman of the ICBA Board of Directors noted that pressures
on food security are not going away. He stressed that increased investment in agricultural
research is fundamental and that investment is needed to scale out research to address
the big development challenges we face. He concluded that the issues cannot be solved
overnight but there is a need to work faster.
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Collaboration between University of Sydney and the International Center for Biosaline
Agriculture (ICBA)
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29 April 2013
ICBA Participates in Forum on “Enhancing Collaboration & Sharing Experience:
The University of Sydney – UAE Universities”
Delegation from Sydney University Visits ICBA Headquarters and Discusses Various
Aspects of Collaboration
Dr. Leanne Piggott,
Director of Business Program Unit, and Dr. Nabil Ahmad, Research Fellow at the Plant Breeding Institute, from the University of Sydney in Australia visited the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA)
on 29 April 2013. The Australian delegation met with a number of ICBA scientists
and discussed possible research and capacity development collaboration between the
University of Sydney and ICBA.
This visit was a follow up to the University of Sydney and the National Research
Foundation forum on “Enhancing Collaboration & Sharing Experience Forum: The
University of Sydney – UAE Universities” which took place on 28 April 2013 at the
National Research Foundation UAE in Dubai Knowledge Village. Dr. Ismahane Elouafi, Director General, Ms. Fiona Chandler, Director of International Cooperation and Partnership,
Dr. Shoaib
Ismail, Halophyte Agronomist, and Dr. Rachael McDonnell, Water Policy and Governance,
from ICBA participated in the Forum.
Dr. Shoaib Ismail, said that “the meeting with the University team is an excellent
opportunity for ICBA that aligns with the new ICBA strategy to foster relationships
and establish new partnerships to maximize the impact of ICBA research on marginal
land and marginal water resources”.
The meeting provided a more detailed view of ICBA and the University of Sydney’s
programs and is expected to lead to research collaboration and capacity building
in the region.
Dr. Leanne Piggott, said “I am here as part of a visit from the University of Sydney,
with colleagues from faculty of agriculture and environment and the Engineering
faculty. The purpose of our visit to the UAE is a follow up on our visit of last
February, in order to develop partnership with national institutions, research organizations
and universities in the UAE for identifying research areas in food security.”
Dr. Leanne added that they are looking for strategic partners, thus their interest
in ICBA – as an internationally renowned center on saline management of production
systems. Dr. Piggott said, “We are looking into collaboration on different research
areas of mutual interest and expertise, including plant breeding research that can
make a direct impact on the market. Leanne explained that they would be waiting
to hear from ICBA their colleagues in identifying suitable crops and vegetables,
on which the University of Sydney team will prepare concept note/proposal. The University
of Sydney can even put a small grant to kick-start the research project. In addition,
the other area of research is on the design of greenhouses that would be effective
in this region and on how to use renewable energy for cooling purposes.”
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Collaboration
Leads to Joint Publication of Important Addition to The Technical Literature of
Ecologyy
The International Center
for Biosaline Agriculture and the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi Publish Two Books
on Soil
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25 April 2013
On the occasion of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, the International Center
for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) in collaboration with the Environment Agency –
Abu Dhabi (EAD) announces the publication of two books titled “Developments in Soil
Salinity Assessment and Reclamation: Innovative Thinking of Using Marginal Soil
and Water Resources in Irrigated Agriculture” and “Developments in Soil Classification,
Land Use Planning and Policy Implications: Innovative Thinking of Soil Inventory
for Land Use Planning and Management of Land Resource”.
The two published books are a direct outcome of an International Conference on Soil
Classification and Reclamation of Degraded Lands in Arid Environments held 17–19
May 2010 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. EAD and ICBA jointly organized the
conference. The objective of the conference was to bring renowned scientists, educators,
and policy makers to share and discuss technical themes in broader perspectives
and assist EAD in paving the way forward for future activities in soil and land
management in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Dr. Shabbir Shahid, Salinity Management Scientist at ICBA Dr. Mahmoud Abdelfattah,
Soil Scientist at EAD, and Dr Faisal Taha, Former Director of Technical Programs
at ICBA are the editors of the two books.
Commenting about these books Dr. Shahid said, “We received overwhelming response
to the call for papers, and over 250 abstracts were received from over 35 countries.
The abstracts were reviewed, and those suitable were accepted for the submission
of full manuscripts. The diversity of the conference themes made it necessary to
publish these papers into two independent books. The papers submitted all went through
rigorous technical review and an iterative review process with authors before finalization
for publication.”
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The first book, “Developments in Soil Salinity Assessment and Reclamation: Innovative
Thinking of Using Marginal Soil and Water Resources in Irrigated Agriculture” has
been published in both soft and hard copies. That book contains papers pertaining
to technology in soil salinity mapping and monitoring; management and reclamation
of salt-affected soils; use of marginal quality water for crop production; salt-tolerance
mechanisms in plants; biosaline agriculture and agroforestry; microbiological interventions
for marginal soils; opportunities and challenges in using marginal waters, and soil
and water management in irrigated agriculture. These topics are presented in eight
parts divided into 52 chapters.
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The second book “Developments in Soil Classification, Land Use Planning and Policy
Implications: Innovative Thinking of Soil Inventory for Land Use Planning and Management
of Land Resource” is available in soft copy with the hard copy expected to be offered
shortly. This volume contains chapters pertaining to soil survey and classification;
land use planning and policy implications; new trends in land degradation and desertification;
modeling of soil and groundwater contamination, and innovations in research, development,
education, and extension. These are presented in five parts divided into 50 chapters.
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Dr. Shahid added, “I wish to thank the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, represented
by its Secretary General, Her Excellency Razan Khalifa Al-Mubarak, and the International
Center for Biosaline Agriculture, represented by its Director General, Dr. Ismahane
Elouafi, for their commitment and respective endeavors to ensure the success of
the conference and subsequent publication of its proceedings.”
For enquiries on how to receive copies of these published books, please contact
ICBA communications team on +971.4.3361100 ext. 256 or by email to
c.elkhouri@biosaline.org.ae
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Directors General of AIRCA Meet at ICBA
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23 April 2013
 Directors
General of the Association
of International Research and Development Centers for Agriculture (AIRCA)
met in Dubai to take the opportunity to discuss the progress and plans for this
coalition of international agricultural research and development centers.
AIRCA is a unique partnership of nine centers working together to improve rural
food security and livelihoods within the framework of inclusive and sustainable
landscapes. Eight of the nine AIRCA Centers were represented at the meeting, hosted
by the International
Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) Headquarters including Dr. Trevor
Nicholls, Chief Executive Officer of
CABI, (current Chair of the group),
Dr. Ismahane Elouafi, Director General
of ICBA; Prof. Christian Borgemeister, Director General of icipe (African Insect Science for Food and Health); Dr.
Dyno Keatinge, Director General of the World
Vegetable Center; Dr. J. Coosje Hoogendoorn, Director General of the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR);
Dr. David Molden, Director General of the
International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD); Dr. Amit
Roy, President and Chief Executive Officer of
IFDC; and Dr. José Joaquín Campos Arce, Director General of CATIE.
 As Dr. Nicholls pointed out, “AIRCA
is a relatively new association of independent research centers and agriculture
[that] we formed one year ago at a meeting in Rome. CABI was one of the founding
organizations, and I have had the honour to chair AIRCA for the first year. We have
made some very positive steps in that time and this meeting aims to consolidate
that progress and make plans to take the group forward in the next coming year,
building on the good foundations that we have already established. It is also my
great pleasure to hand over the Chair of the association to Dr Ismahane Elouafi;
so the Chair will sit with ICBA for the coming twelve months. I think it is a very
exciting alliance of organizations in agricultural research and development that
have a focus on impact and the implementation of research, putting it into use for
the benefit of farmers. We each bring different strengths in what is a very large
task, but we all share a focus on the smallholder and on taking smallholders move
from subsistence to sustainability and out of poverty into prosperity by helping
them make a business out of agriculture,” he added.
 Prof. Borgemeister remarked that AIRCA is a fantastic platform
for like-minded research and development centers to pool some of their knowledge,
some of their technologies, and to bring them together to create impact across the
globe. He said, “We [icipe] particularly work in Africa; we have number of partners,
here in the AIRCA alliance, that are also interested in working in Africa and I
am very optimistic that within the next twelve months we will see a translation
of the idea of AIRCA into action in the field.”
 Commenting on her appointment as the Chairperson of the AIRCA
board, Dr. Ismahane Elouafi said, “I am much honored to serve as the Chairperson
of AIRCA Board for the next twelve months; I have large shoes to fill, with a great
work done by my colleague Dr. Trevor Nicholls over the past year. I look forward
to keeping the momentum as we have a great year ahead of us with several key milestones
in the pipeline.” Ismahane added that ICBA regards its relationship with AIRCA as
a strategic relationship and is in line with the new ICBA strategy for 2013-2023.
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New Publication On Salt Tolerant Plants of The United Arab Emirates
The International Center
for Biosaline Agriculture Publishes New, Revised Arabic Version Of Popular Book
on Salt Tolerant Plants in UAE
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23 April 2013
 With the generous support of the Abu Dhabi Food Control
Authority, the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) announces the
publication of an updated, Arabic version of the book “Salt-tolerant Plants of the
United Arab Emirates”. This is an updated publication of the original English version
published in 2006. In the revised volume, written by Dr Fawzi Karim, Dr Abdullah
Dakheel and Dr NK Rao, are descriptions, in Arabic, of the different environments
and habitats of the UAE with chapters on salt tolerance, plant adaptation to drought
and salinity and potential uses of salt-tolerant plants. It includes illustrations
of more than 170 different plants in the UAE (tree, shrubs and grasses) with their
description, salinity tolerance, distribution and uses.
Dr. Ismahane Elouafi, Director General of ICBA says that “Several of the Gulf Cooperation
Council countries, notably Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, have published
well-written scientific books about their flora and fauna. The UAE has also produced
a good number of books about its plants and animals. However, until now no book
has been published with a specific focus on the halophytes and salt-tolerant plants
in the country. This book represents the first scientific documentation of these
important plants in the UAE.”
For enquiries on how to receive copies of these published books, please contact
ICBA communications team on +971.4.3361100 ext. 212 or by email to
g.aljabri@biosaline.org.ae
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ICBA Board Meeting: Approves ICBA 2013-2023 Strategy
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17 April 2013
The ICBA Board of Directors met on 26 and 27 March 2013 at ICBA Headquarters in
Dubai. The meeting, chaired by the ICBA Board Chair, Dr. Fawzi AlSultan, saw discussion
on a number of important topics relevant to the Center’s governance. However, a
signature event was the Board approval of the new ICBA Strategy 2013-2023.
The Strategy represents a major step forward for the Center. Developed over six
months and including the input and participation of staff, stakeholders and partners,
the new Strategy takes innovation as a core principle. As outlined in the Strategy,
applied research will be directed to innovative solutions to food and water security
in marginal environments; applying new technologies including biotechnology; developing
multiple uses for wastewater and seawater; becoming a pioneering knowledge hub,
and extending and deepening the Center’s partnerships. “Having the Board endorse
and approve the new Strategy is an excellent outcome for the Center. The scientists,
staff and I are all looking forward to the next stage in ICBA’s evolution with this
new Strategy to guide our efforts” said Dr. Ismahane Elouafi, Director General of
ICBA.
Following the Board Meeting, Dr. Fawzi AlSultan gathered ICBA staff for a Town Hall
meeting where he shared with them the outcomes of the Board meeting and assured
ICBA staff of the full support of the Board in the great work that was being accomplished
and planned for the years to come.
Members of the ICBA Board of Directors include: Dr. Fawzi AlSultan (Chairman), Mr.
Abdelrahim Al Hammadi (Assistant Under Secretary, Support Services, Ministry of
Environment and Water, UAE), H.E. Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak (Secretary General, Environment
Agency Abu Dhabi), Mr. Mohammad Jamal Al-Saati (Director, Operations Policy and
Services Department, Islamic Development Bank), Dr. Khalida Bouzar, Director of
the Division of Near East, North Africa, Europe and Central Asia, IFAD), Mr. Adel
Abdulla Alhosani (Director, Projects Department, Abu Dhabi Fund for Development),
Dr. David Molden (Director General of the International Centre for Integrated Mountain
Development) and Dr Mahmoud Solh (Director General, International Center for Agricultural
Research in the Dry Areas).
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ICBA, FAO, ICARDA collaboration on projects for the UAE
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8 April 2013
The International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), the Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Center for Agricultural
Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) are working together to consolidate and collaborate
on projects aimed for the United Arab Emirates.
After an initial meeting in October 2012 between ICBA, FAO, and ICARDA, steering
and technical committees were formed to explore the potential areas of collaboration
between the three institutions to better serve the UAE. As a result, the technical
committee, capitalizing on the 3 institutions strengths, has developed integrated
proposals. The proposals aim to address some of the UAE agriculture challenges such
as water scarcity and food security through the use of non-conventional water resources
and Hydroponics system..
In today’s meeting, representative of the three organizations and the Ministry of
Environment and Water (MOEW) of the UAE discussed the proposals and agreed on the
path forward. It was agreed that capacity building will be a strong component of
the project and that it will be tailored to the UAE needs in the selected subject
matters.
Commenting on the meeting outcome, Dr. Ismahane Elouafi said “This is a great example
of ‘Coalition of willing’ between the three organizations. The presence of the Ministry
during the proposal development is crucial. It allows us to focus on the Policy
Question and to make sure our research for development is addressing the government
needs.”
Dr. Shabbir Shahid, Salinity Management Scientist at ICBA, added, “The main objective
of this collaboration is to join effort of research and development institutions
to contribute to food security and to enhance the water and crop productivity in
the UAE.”
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Collaboration between Mauritania and ICBA Fostered by IDB
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3 April 2013
H.E. Dr Sidi Ould Tah, Minister of Economic Affairs and Development, Islamic Republic
of Mauritania, along with Mr. Ahmed Saleh Hariri, Division Manager of North Africa,
Islamic Development Bank, visited the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture
(ICBA) on 3 April 2014. This visit reflects the ongoing collaboration between ICBA
and IDB and its member countries on agricultural research and development projects.
Senior ICBA officials and scientists received the visiting delegation. Dr Khalil
Ammar gave a presentation on ICBA’s vision, mission, research program, and new strategy.
Following the presentation, an interesting discussion took place on various areas
of collaboration. Both parties agreed on the next steps for establishing collaboration
and then the visiting delegation went through a field visit across ICBA research
farm.
Dr Ammar said, “It was a great opportunity for ICBA to meet with H.E. Dr Sidi Ould
Tah. There is a great opportunity of capitalizing on various ICBA projects and researches
for Mauritania. Our partnership with IDB and our work to support IDB member countries
in achieving their agricultural research objectives is of top priority to ICBA and
falls in line with the new ICBA 2013-2023 strategy.”
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Research
in the UAE on Sustainable Bio-Energy Shows Promising Results
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14 March 2013
THE INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR BIOSALINE AGRCIULTURE REVEALS ITS RESEARCH ON SALICORNIA
AT WETEX 2013
Meeting local food needs and achieving food security in many arid climate countries
is limited by water availability. When coupled with the rise in demand for renewable
energy, especially bio-energy, we face real challen ges in managing the competition
for land and water resources.
That is why; policy and decision makers are looking for opportunities that provide
renewable sources of energy while not inducing additional pressure on agriculture
land and water resources.
Seawater-based agriculture is a new frontier in the production of crops in coastal
areas. Among the crops that have potential to be grown with seawater and can be
economically viable, are mangroves and Salicornia.
Salicornia experiment picture at the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture
research field in Dubai
Salicornia is a unique species in that it grows in salty water and has seeds can
produce an abundant amount of biomass for bio-fuel. The International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA)
based in Dubai is, with its partners, carrying out research on this promising plant.
ICBA has rich experience in the evaluation of genetic material and optimizing different
types of production systems under saline conditions. ICBA and Masdar Institute are
collaborating to look at the potential for growing Salicornia under UAE conditions."
Dr. Shoaib
Ismail, Halophyte Agronomist at ICBA reports "In addition to Masdar Institute, several other companies like Boeing, Etihad
Airways, and UOP Honeywell,
are looking at the potential of growing Salicornia with seawater for use as a bio-fuel
and maintaining CO2 equilibrium."
ICBA is also collaborating with the
King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST) who have acquired
and developed many genotypes of Salicornia for their breeding program. Dr. Shoaib
adds, "ICBA is collaborating with both Masdar and KAUST in evaluation of about
50 different genotypes under seawater condition. Recently the Wagneingen University,
the Netherlands, also have shown interest to test their Salicornia material under
UAE local condition."
Preliminary results of the trials done in 2012 and 2013 showed the potential of
growing Salicornia under seawater irrigation in UAE. Fresh biomass varied from 40-60
tons/ha/year, whereas, seed yield varied from 0.5-1.9 t/ha/year. The current work
will not only further validate the results of different genotypes, but also the
oil and other seed content.
ICBA is showcasing some of their Salicornia project results and highlighting the
importance of Salicornia and the potential that this crop can bring to the UAE in
particular and the GCC region in general during their participation at WETEX 2013.
ICBA is an international research organization with a team of international scientists
conducting applied research to improve the well-being of poor farmers in marginal
environments.
ICBA’s work addresses the closely linked challenges of water, environment, income,
and food security. The Center’s applied research for development aims to address
the agricultural challenges in marginal environments including assessment of natural
resources, climate change adaptation, crop productivity and diversification, aquaculture
and bio-energy and policy analysis. ICBA is working on a number of technology developments
including the use of conventional and non-conventional water (such as saline, treated
wastewater, industrial water and seawater); water and land management technologies
and remote sensing and modeling for climate change adaptation. Building capacity
and sharing knowledge is an important part of all ICBA does. ICBA’s work reaches
countries, including least developed countries, in Central Asia and the Caucasus,
the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), South and South East Asia, sub Saharan
Africa and Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
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Partnership
leads to better agricultural outcomes for the UAE.
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13 March 2013
THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND WATER (MOEW) AND THE INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR BIOSALINE
AGRICUTLURE (ICBA) COLLABORATE TO FIND SOLUTIONS TO CHALLENGES FACING AGRICULTURE
IN MARGINAL ENVIRONMENTS. H.E. DR RASHID AHMED BIN FAHED VISITS ICBA TO DISCUSS
ADDITIONAL COLLABORATION.
The visit of H.E. Dr Rashid Ahmed bin Fahed, Minister of Environment and Water,
to the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) follows a long history
of partnership and collaboration between the Ministry and ICBA. Currently, the Ministry
is jointly working with ICBA to find solutions to challenges facing agriculture
in marginal environments.
The Minister met with Dr Ismahane Elouafi, Director General and senior scientists
at ICBA and discussed the importance of the center in the country and the region
as well as further collaboration opportunities on various initiatives. These included
those related to climate change adaptation, rehabilitating and reclaiming abandoned
salt-affected farms, water productivity, alternative crops, use of treated wastewater
and salt-tolerant crop species.
“The relationship between ICBA and the Ministry of Environment and Water goes back
to the establishment of the center; we enjoy a good relationship and look forward
to increasing the level of collaboration in research areas as well as capacity development
of staff in the Ministry”, said Ismahane Elouafi.
ICBA has taken on the challenge of rehabilitating and reclaiming abandoned salt-affected
farms in Abu Dhabi. Three model farms are being planted with perennial and annual
forages irrigated with saline water. Preliminary results indicate that the improved
modern irrigation systems that have been installed and management practices can
reduce water use by 20-30% and salt-tolerant grasses for animal feed provide alternatives
to the freshwater-thirsty Rhodes grass.
Dr. Mohamed Amrani, the Director of Research and Innovation at ICBA, indicated that
the results are excellent news to a large number of farmers in the UAE in particular
and to the Arab region in general, which have a large portion of salt-affected and
marginal lands.
ICBA’s research also looks at the nexus between water and agricultural production
with particular emphasis on adaptation to climate change. The ultimate objective
is to develop strategies and management practices for adapting to climate change
in marginal environments. Up-to-date information on water use in different sectors
and the likely effects of changes in climate on water resources and agriculture
are essential in managing water for sustainable development. To provide governments
with comprehensive information, ICBA and partners are collecting and processing
data and new information from geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing
and modeling to model future scenarios and perform risk analyses. Governments can
use the scenarios and analyses to assess opportunities and constraints imposed by
regional climate conditions on sustainable development and food security.
The International Center for Biosaline Agriculture is an international center of
excellence for research and development in marginal environments. Established in
1999 under the leadership of the Islamic Development Bank and the United Arab Emirates,
ICBA originally was a research and development institute focusing on the problems
of salinity and using saline water for irrigated agriculture. The Center has evolved
over the last 14 years into a modern research facility with a team of international
scientists conducting applied research to improve the well-being of poor farmers
in marginal environments. Strategically the Center has broadened its initial focus
from applied research and technology development in saline-irrigated agriculture,
to a broader mandate for improving agricultural production within an integrated,
water resource system, approach.
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Discussion
on Collaboration between ICBA and Moroccan Institutions
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4 March 2013
ICBA were pleased to host a visit by a senior level delegation from the Moroccan
National Institute for Agriculture Research (INRA) on 4
March 2013. The visitors included Professor Mohamed Badraoui, Director of NRA joined
by his colleague, Dr Saoud Bachir, Director General of ANDZOA (Agence Nationale
pour le Developpement des Zones Oasiennes et de l’Arganier) and Dr My Hassan Sedra,
Director of Research and Head of the Regional Centre of Agricultural Research of
Marrakech.
The Moroccan delegation met with Dr Ismahane Elouafi, Director General, and Dr Ahmed
Al Sharif, Deputy Director General, Dr Mohamed Amrani, Director of Research and
Innovation, and Ms. Fiona Chandler, Director of International Cooperation and Partnership
along with a number of scientists from ICBA.
The discussion covered the various collaboration possibilities between ICBA, INRA
and ANDZOA in Morocco. Representatives of the various research divisions of ICBA
presented a highlight of their work and identified various possibilities of collaboration.
The visiting delegation toured the ICBA research facility and the research farm
and expressed great praise for the work that ICBA is undergoing. Professor Badraoui
said, “I believe that ICBA has done what no other institution has achieved in terms
of research in biosaline agriculture; this is a key strength of ICBA and I encourage
you to maintain your edge in this field and I look forward to further partnership
and cooperation between INRA and ICBA.”
Dr Elouafi added, “We see that there are very positive opportunities for cooperation
especially in the area of climate change adaptation research and the remote sensing
and modeling program. Soil fertility and treated wastewater for agriculture are
other areas to explore together”. Dr Elouafi will follow up on this initiative with
a visit to Morocco towards the end of April to continue the discussions.
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Dr
Tom Blake’s Collaboration Visit to ICBA
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6 - 10 February 2013
Dr Tom Blake is a professor in plant breeding and genetics at the Montana State
University (MSU) in the United States of America. Dr Blake has been a professor
of barley breeding for the past 30 years at Montana. Between 2002 and 2003, Tom
held the position of Director of Germplasm at ICARDA in Aleppo in Syria; it was
during his role at ICARDA that Dr Blake got to know the International Center for
Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) and had since then built a strong relationship with
the Center.
Dr Blake visited ICBA from 6-10 February, 2013, in relation to the collaboration
initiative between ICBA and MSU on ‘Barley Salinity Tolerance’ research. Both institutions
are exploring areas of cooperation to provide to Marginal Environments, in the Arabian
Peninsula and Central Asia, productive Salinity tolerant varieties.
Commenting on his visit to ICBA, Dr. Blake said “Barley is the most saline tolerant
of grain crops and a large saline tolerant variation exists for barley; ICBA is
the only known research center to plant a very large sample of all the barley varieties
that are known to man – over 2,700 lines of barley that were collected from all
over the world in the past century… These were planted using both fresh water and
saline water and this field experiment is unique in the world”
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Director
General of ICBA and the President of IDB
discuss mutual collaboration opportunities during their meeting
in Jeddah
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19 January 2013
Dr. Ismahane Elouafi, Director General of the International Center for Biosaline
Agriculture (ICBA), along with Dr. Ahmed Al Sharif, Deputy Director General of ICBA
and Dr. Abdullah Alshankiti, Senior Soil Scientist at ICBA, have met on the 19th
of January, in Jeddah, with H.E. Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali, President of Islamic Development
Bank (IDB); Mr. Birama Boubacar Sidibe, Vice President Operations; Mr. Mohammad
Jamal Al-Saati, ICBA BoD Member and Director of Country Department in IDB; and Mr.
Demba Ba, Director of Agriculture and Rural Development at IDB.
Dr. Elouafi briefed the IDB representatives of the latest activities of ICBA along
with the current and planned researches, projects, and capacity building programs
that the center is undergoing. The President of IDB expressed the continuous support
of IDB for ICBA’s initiatives and has discussed various elements for enhancing the
collaboration between the bank and ICBA.
From right: H.E. Dr. Ahmad Mohamed
Ali, President of IDB; Dr. Ismahane Elouafi, Director General of ICBA
IDB and ICBA have agreed to share expertise in both developing member states agricultural
strategies as well as their implementation on the ground and to focus on innovation
in agriculture and water management.
IDB and ICBA have agreed to share expertise in both developing member states agricultural
strategies as well as their implementation on the ground and to focus on innovation
in agriculture and water management.
“The meeting was very fruitful; and we had the opportunity to exchange ideas and
identify new possibilities of cooperation with IDB through the various discussions
with the representatives of different departments of the bank” said Dr. Ismahane
Elouafi, Director General of ICBA.
As an immediate outcome to their meeting, both parties, IDB & ICBA, have agreed
to join forces in the organization of the upcoming Expert Group Meeting (EGM) for
the GDLA (Global Dry Lands Alliance) initiative of the Qatari Food Security Agency,
which will be held in Jeddah, K.S.A. from 18-20 February 2013. Approximately 60
experts representing Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), United Nations’ Specialized
Agencies, Dry Land Organizations, Private Sector and Academic and Research Institutions
from developing and developed countries will be invited to participate in the meeting.
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ICBA
Helps in the Preparation of Somalia’s Water Strategy
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17 January 2013
With the appointment of a new government in Somalia, water is becoming one of the
most important challenges that should be addressed in the country. The Islamic Development
Bank (IDB) is exploring ways of helping Somalia to deal with their crisis.
In January 17, ICBA hosted a meeting with the participation of different stakeholders
including: IDB, Government of the Republic of Somalia, Intergovernmental Authority
on Development (IGAD), Bushnak Group, Qatar Red Crescent, DIRECTAID (Kuwait), Islamic
Relief, Qatar Charity, and ICBA.
The objective of the meeting was to prepare the “framework for drought resilience
agriculture, livestock and water strategy for food security in Somalia”. As a result
the participants agreed to prepare three papers related to water master plan, urban
waters, and capacity development and knowledge transfer.
The next meeting is scheduled to take place in mid-March of the current year where
the donors will be invited and the strategy framework will be finalized.
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ICBA’s
Presence at the International Water Summit 2013 in Abu Dhabi
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17 January 2013
Dr. Rachael McDonnell, water policy and governance scientist at the International
Center of Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), gave a vital presentation based on findings
from case studies of ICBA scientists during the International Water Summit on January
16, 2013 in Abu Dhabi.
The presentation highlighted the importance and possibilities of using brackish
water for sustainable farming; as a result, the amount of farmable land and new
water resources available to support food security in increased, whilst pressure
on fresh groundwater reserves is reduced.
Dr. McDonnell tackled the importance of science and innovation in the crop production,
especially with the limited fresh water resources, natural genetic adaptation research
that would lead to identifying/breeding new crops that are salt tolerant. Scientists
at ICBA have demonstrated how particular species of key crops are naturally able
to tolerate salty conditions so providing important sources of forage and food.
The importance of Agroforestry using marginal waters was another subject that was
covered in ICBA’s presentation. Experience has shown that the use of diversified
tree products with other crops had the direct effect on improving the soil health,
gave shade to crops and livestock, and enriched livestock feeds on already degraded
land.
“Farm-scale water management practices are important and can directly affect the
efficiency and productivity of the crops, leading to significant savings and return
on investment for the farmers” said Dr. Rachael McDonnell.
Credit for these case studies goes to the hard work of each of the following ICBA
scientists:
Dr. Abdullah Dakheel, Dr. Nanduri K. Rao, Dr. Shabbir Shahid, Dr. Shoaib Ismail, Dr. Rachael McDonnell, and Dr. Ian McCann. It is through
their hard work and dedication and that of the remaining ICBA team that the center
continues to deliver on its promise to demonstrate the value of marginal and saline
water resources for the production of economically and environmentally useful plants,
and to transfer the results of its research to national research services and communities.
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Saudi
delegation of ministry of agriculture visits ICBA in Dubai
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16 January 2013
Dubai – The International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) hosted a high
level delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
on Wednesday, 16 January 2013, in their headquarters in Dubai.
H.E. Eng. Mohammed A. Al Shiha, Deputy Minister for Agriculture, has led the Saudi
delegation and was received by Dr. Ahmed Al Sharif- Deputy Director General of ICBA
and Dr. Mohamed Amrani- Director of Research and Innovation Division in addition
to several senior scientists and researchers, who provided a complete description
of the center’s activities and history along with an overview of the ongoing researches
and projects.
The Saudi delegation had the opportunity to go through a guided tour across the
various divisions and departments of the center along with a field visit covering
the 35 acres of farm land, which constitutes the core of the research and development
facility of ICBA.
Dr. Ahmed Al Sharif highlighted the current experiments in relations to the Quinoa
plant; it is the only plant food that contains all the essential amino acids, trace
elements and vitamins and contains no gluten. The importance of the Quinoa plant
is reflected through the decision of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the
United Nations (FAO), which has declared 2013 the International Year of Quinoa.
The Saudi Agriculture Ministry delegation and ICBA expressed their interest in extending
the cooperation between their respective organizations and have highlighted some
of the immediate actions that could be taken in that regard; whether, through direct
collaboration, or through regional initiatives.
“This visit is very important for us; and as a Ministry of Agriculture, we will
benefit a lot from this center and we see great potential for cooperation between
our institutions” concluded the H.E. Eng. Mohammed A. Al Shiha.
The International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) was established in 1996
by an initiative from the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) in cooperation with the
Ministry of Environment and Water of the United Arab Emirates and the Environment
Agency – Abu Dhabi.
The center started its operation in 1999 and since then has achieved valuable scientific
researches and published numerous findings and white papers about traditional and
non-traditional agriculture that could be cultivated using marginal water resources
such as high-salinity water, treated water and wastewater.
Access to fresh water is an immediate challenge in the Arab region and this matter
will only grow worse in the next 15 to 20 years. This is where ICBA’s role is critical
and why so far it has conducted researches on over 10,000 races of plants that are
tolerant to water with high salinity; identifying the most productive races that
could be planted on an economical scale.
The role of ICBA on the genetic level is complimented with its research on the management
side of the cultivation and farming process. ICBA research team has achieved great
results in terms of increasing the crops productivity and reducing the usage of
water and energy and ensuring the highest return of investment to the farmers in
the process.
As a result now ICBA researches are opens the road to increase the available farming
land exponentially, hence playing a major role in ensuring food security and sustainability
across the region and beyond.
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