In the UAE, scientists have been working on GROWING RICE IN SEAWATER, which could be a game-changer for food security in the region . A team of Chinese scientists, led by Yuan Longping, has developed a strain of rice that can grow in saltwater, and they have already started experimenting with it in the DESERTS OF DUBAI . The goal is to cover around 10% of the UAE’s land area with paddy fields, which would be a huge boost to the country’s food production.
A Canadian startup called Agrisea is also working on growing rice in seawater using a gene-editing technique called CRISPR. They plan to launch small pilot farms and then scale up to full production, which could help combat hunger and reduce environmental problems.
The UAE is also investing in desalination plants to produce freshwater for drinking and other uses . However, growing rice in seawater could be a more sustainable and cost-effective solution in the long run.
Rice grown in desert, using seawater with over double the global average yields. One day large sections of desert could be turned into rice paddy fields. Chinese scientists have successfully grown and harvested rice in the deserts of Dubai after developing a strain that allows the crop to grow in saltwater.
CHINA’s “ FATHER OF HYBRID RICE “ Yuan Longping, has already grown rice in diluted seawater and is now bringing the technique to the Middle East. In the Middle East, fresh water is too precious to use for growing water-intensive crops.
The high yield reported – 7,500kg per hectare compared with the global average of 3,000kg per hectare – has encouraged scientists to expand the project.
They now plan to set up a 100-hectare experimental farm later this year, put it into regular use next year and then start expanding after 2020.
Eventually, the report said, the goal is to cover around 10 percent of the United Arab Emirates, which has a total area of 83,600 sq km (32,278 sq miles), with paddy fields – although details as to how this will be achieved have yet to be disclosed.
Israel or Australia have been developing desalination techniques to convert seawater for use in agriculture, but China has been working to develop strains of salt-resistant rice for the past four decades.
China has one million square kilometers of waste land – an area the size of Ethiopia – where plants struggle to grow because of high salinity or alkalinity levels in the soil.
If a tenth of this area was planted with saltwater rice, it could boost China’s rice production by nearly 20 percent, producing 50 million tonnes of food – enough to feed 200 million people.
Scientists Growing Rice With Seawater Could Feed ‘Entire Arab World.’
A successful experiment in the deserts of Dubai may promise to curb hunger around the world.
A team of Chinese scientists has managed to develop a specific strain of rice that grows in saltwater. Not only that, but it also yields far more rice than the average freshwater-dependent strains.
Back in January 2024, the researchers were invited by representatives of the United Arab Emirates to plant some of the salt-tolerant rice in different patches of the desert where water is too precious to waste on crops that depend on such intense hydration.
After five months of growth, several strains of the modified rice yielded as much as 7.8 tons of food per hectare. For comparison, the global average stands at 3.3 tons per hectare.
The researchers from the Qingdao Saltwater Rice Research and Development Center are continuing the project by launching an experimental 100-hectare saltwater rice farm in 2019 that will evaluate the costs of production and different farming techniques. They hope to then accelerate their rate of production by 2020.
Their long-term goal is to cover up to 10% of the UAE with the saltwater rice paddies – and if the technology proves to be consistently successful in Dubai’s harsh agricultural climate, then the farms could “feed the entire Arab world.”
According to Yuan Longping, the “father of hybrid rice” and leader of the research institute, there are over 386,000 square miles (1 million kilometers) of land in China that is currently going unused due to the high salt content of the soil.
By planting his specially developed saltwater rice on just one-tenth of this land, it would boost the nation’s food production by 20% – which is enough to feed over 200 million people.
It is fascinating to see INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS like GROWING RICE in SEAWATER being explored to address FOOD SECURITY CHALLENGES . The UAE’s efforts to PIONEER this TECHNOLOGY could have a significant impact on SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL practices GLOBALLY.
It is essential for nations to leverage innovation and technology for food security, including at universities, for the following 10 reasons:
- Sustainability: Innovative technologies can help reduce the environmental impact of agriculture, ensuring sustainable food production for future generations.
- Increased crop yields: Technology can enhance crop resilience, disease resistance, and yields, helping meet the food demands of a growing global population.
- Water conservation: Innovative irrigation systems and drought-tolerant crops can optimize water use, addressing water scarcity challenges.
- Food waste reduction: Technology can help minimize food loss throughout the supply chain, from production to consumption.
- Nutrition and quality: Innovative techniques can enhance nutritional content and food quality, addressing malnutrition and health issues.
- Climate change mitigation: Universities can develop climate-resilient crops and agricultural practices, helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Economic growth: Innovation in agriculture can create new industries, jobs, and economic opportunities, driving growth and development.
- Knowledge sharing: Universities play a crucial role in researching, developing, and disseminating innovative technologies, ensuring global access to solutions.
- Talent development: By incorporating innovation and technology in agriculture education, universities can equip the next generation of leaders with the skills to address food security challenges.
- Collaboration and partnerships: Universities can foster partnerships among governments, industries, and international organizations, driving collective progress in food security.
By embracing innovation and technology, nations can ensure a food-secure future, address global challenges, and promote sustainable development.
For FOOD INNOVATION 13 SUBJECTS’ STUDENTS SHOULD STUDY:
For food innovation, students should consider studying a combination of 13 subjects that cover the intersection of food, technology, and sustainability. By combining these subjects, students can gain a comprehensive understanding of food innovation and develop innovative solutions for a sustainable food future.
- Food Science: Understanding the chemistry, biology, and physics of food.
- Agricultural Technology: Learning about precision agriculture, vertical farming, and sustainable crop production.
- Biotechnology: Exploring genetic engineering, fermentation, and bioprocessing for food production.
- Nutrition and Wellness: Studying the impact of food on human health and well-being.
- Environmental Science: Understanding the ecological footprint of food production and waste management.
- Data Science and Analytics: Applying data-driven approaches to optimize food production, distribution, and consumption.
- Food Engineering: Designing and developing innovative food processing, packaging, and preservation technologies.
- Sustainable Agriculture: Focusing on eco-friendly practices, regenerative agriculture, and climate-resilient farming.
- Food Policy and Economics: Analyzing the social, economic, and political factors influencing food systems.
- Computer Science and Programming: Developing skills in coding, artificial intelligence, and machine learning for food tech applications.
- Microbiology: Understanding the role of microorganisms in food safety, quality, and fermentation.
- Supply Chain Management: Optimizing food logistics, distribution, and waste reduction.
- Agriculture Project Management: To master Vision, Planning and Execution skills.
Onward & Upward towards, One People, One Nation, One Destiny.
