ICBA, Al Ain Municipality ink cooperation agreement

The International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) and Al Ain Municipality have signed a new memorandum of understanding to boost collaboration on, among other things, research into non-conventional water resources and salt-tolerant plants.

During a ceremony to sign the agreement with Dr. Mohammad Al-Nouami, Director General of Al Ain Municipality, on October 26, 2015, Dr. Ismahane Elouafi, Director General of ICBA, said: “Signing today this agreement with Al Ain Municipality is very important for our center.”

The memorandum provides a framework for cooperation for the period of 2015-2020 in such areas as research and knowledge-sharing. The research component will be focused on collecting and exchanging agricultural data on non-conventional water resources, marginal environments, and salt-tolerant plant species. ICBA researchers will also work with their counterparts from Al Ain Municipality on implementing plans and initiatives to optimize use of water resources and provide consultations to evaluate the current state of water and soil.

Scientists at ICBA and Al Ain Municipality will jointly conduct experiments and build the capacities of local researchers and farmers.

Dr. Ismahane Elouafi commented: “Within ICBA we are trying our best to work with different partners and particularly with local organizations within the UAE that could be users of the research outcome we are developing at ICBA. We look forward to implementing the MoU that actually talks about several areas of collaboration.”

The agreement is in line with ICBA’s continued efforts to enhance impact of its research on the ground and ensure that more farmers and other practitioners benefit from it. It is hoped that the agreement will contribute to increased water and land use efficiency in the municipality.