The United Arab Emirates yesterday took its first step on the road to agricultural self-sufficiency, as the country’s first biotechnology lab “Sharjah 1” focused on the hybridization of wheat opened on a farm in Sharjah. Modern and sleek, it will be directed toward the creation of new varieties of wheat that are better suited for the UAE climate.
Equipped with high technology in measuring growth and genetic analysis, the lab features an experimental farm that hosts 550 different strains of non-GMO soft wheat. The focus of the researchers is on the development of the hybrid variety named “Sharjah 1,” which boasts 19% protein content-the highest in the world.
Hybridization refers to the process of crossing different varieties of plants to produce hybrids that can survive in various conditions, preferably those serving particular environments. This purpose does not only try to improve the nutritional property of wheat but also enhance its adaptation to local conditions.
The lab utilizes state-of-the-art irrigation designs that have a water-saving feature. The facility is aiming to save 30% of the water. It gives itself a very important role in conserving water, considering it is situated in the dry desert of the UAE.
While at the facility, Minister of Climate Change and Environment Dr. Amna Al Dahak praised the success of the farm. She toured the laboratories, which were just part of the “Plant the Emirates” objectives of boosting local agriculture.
Another is the ‘Saba Sanabel’ project, launched last year, encompassing an area of 1,900 hectares, planting 285 tons of wheat seeds for a yield of quality organic wheat to reach 15,200 tons to meet all retail requirements in Sharjah.
Saba Sanabel flour is already on offer at all Sharjah Cooperative Society branches and is recently introduced together with Mleiha milk in Coop supermarkets in Dubai. That opens some promising times toward a sustainable future for agriculture in UAE.
