RESEARCHERS GROW AGAINST THE GRAIN TO PRODUCE RICE IN SHARJAH DESERT
▶ As Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week starts, ‘The National’ looks at a project to boost the country’s food security in a sustainable, cost-effective way
Emirati and South Korean scientists are preparing to reap the second harvest of rice grown in the Sharjah desert.
The crop’s production is an agricultural milestone for the UAE, which is bolstering food security amid international drives towards self-sufficiency prompted by the pandemic and rising concern about climate change.
It is being grown on a 1-kilometre square plot in Al Dhaid, as part of a research project by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, in partnership with South Korea’s Rural Development Administration.
The rice will be harvested in February and processed to make it edible.
“One of the most important things we take into consideration as we move forward with our research is that we want to be able to grow our own food, make it economically feasible and environmentally sustainable,” said Amal Al Ahmadi, head of agricultural research at the ministry.
She said the Emirates’ food supply was not affected by the pandemic, but “we still need to be prepared”.
The UAE is one of the largest importers of rice. It also reexports the grain.
In 2019, it imported most of its milled rice from India, followed by Thailand and Brazil, according to marketing intelligence provider S&P Global.
Of the two main types of rice being tested in Al Dhaid, Asemi has been particularly successful.
The short-grained variety was developed by South Korea in 2014.
“They crossbred two varieties, and the Asemi was the one that could tolerate heat, drought and salinity,” Ms Al Ahmadi said.
Thirty-three other types of rice are being tested in small patches.
Several types of rice were first tested in South Korea and the set-up was designed to mimic the UAE’s climate.
Seeds are sowed in September and watered using several techniques.
“We’re testing which irrigation method works best for our environment, suits rice cultivation here, gives us the highest yield, but uses less water consumption,” Ms Al Ahmadi said.
Various types of technology are used to monitor crop health. Sensors spread across the fields help detect movement. Cameras installed at various points keep an eye on seed-eating birds and a nearby weather station helps keep researchers informed of changes in temperature and humidity.
Scientists are in the fields nearly every day to ensure the crops remain healthy.
The main challenge so far has been deterring birds that try to eat rice grains.
In February, after a growing cycle of 180 days, parts of the field will be harvested. This is followed by the processing stage, which takes several weeks to complete and involves cleaning the rice, hulling, milling and polishing.
Ms Al Ahmadi said the research is meant to help the country’s farmers grow rice sustainably in the future.
The produce grown during the project will not go on sale.
“We’re trying to think about a holistic approach of the entire cycle for the farmers,” she told The National.
“We want them to grow sustainably, have a high yield and earn a higher income from this industry.”
The efforts are part of a larger plan to enhance the UAE’s food security.
In March, Vietnam banned rice exports temporarily to ensure it had enough grain for its citizens as the coronavirus pandemic gathered pace.
The crop’s cultivation is an agricultural milestone for the Emirates, which is especially vulnerable to climate change