Rice is a demanding crop to grow. It typically requires specific conditions and flooded paddies but a group of scientists in the UAE are learning to turn the dry deserts of Sharjah into land capable of nurturing this global staple.
It is hoped the joint project between UAE University scientists and South Korean experts could lead the way for similar initiatives that will reduce the country's reliance on imported food.
The coronavirus pandemic has forced some rice growing nations to restrict the amount of produce they export.
If successful on a large scale, this groundbreaking project has the potential to shape the future of agriculture as it can be replicated
To counter the growing food security threat, local scientists are using the latest technology to grow 763 kilograms of rice in a 1,000 square metre plot of desert.
Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said the impressive results could change agriculture across the arid region.
“The innovative venture is the first of its kind in the Middle East,” he said.
“If successful on a large scale, this groundbreaking project has the potential to shape the future of agriculture as it can be replicated.
"Rice is one of the most important foods that is consumed on a daily basis in this area.
“We are focusing on driving innovation and exploring agritech in growing the crops that are in high demand.”
After extensive testing, experts selected Asemi (Japonica) and FL478 (Indica) rice varieties to grow because of their ability to tolerate heat, salinity and poor soil conditions.
Seeds were sowed in November last year and harvested in three stages between May 5 and May 30.
The crops had a growing cycle of 180 days and were watered via an underground drip irrigation system to reduce cost and wastage.
The harvested rice will only be used commercially once tested to ensure compliance with standard specifications.
Despite the UAE being in the top 10 global rice importers and relying on shipping and air freight for 90 per cent of its food, serious pandemic related disruption has so far been avoided.
The impressive rice growing results at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment’s Al Dhaid research centre have added hope for other agricultural innovations.
“We seek to make the most of our resources and find the crops and methods that are suitable for our desert climate,” said Dr Al Zeyoudi.
“We have to target the crops that are in high demand locally. This is one of the things we’ve noticed during the pandemic.
“We are exploring and adopting more innovative solutions in every phase.”
The results will provide a baseline for other research programmes and undertakings related to food and agriculture.
The rice project was completed in partnership with the Rural Development Administration (RDA) of the Republic of Korea.
Other initiatives in the pipeline to encourage more self sufficiency include smart greenhouse projects, vertical farms that grow crops inside climate-controlled facilities and the control of date palm pests.
In March, at the height of the pandemic in Asia, Vietnam announced a ban on rice exports to ensure the country had sufficient foods to cope.
Quotas on white rice exports from the country have since increased to 500,000 tonnes a month.
It was a warning to nations reliant on imported goods to become more self-sufficient in the post-pandemic world.
South Korea will continue to work with the UAE on developing further water-saving technologies to maximise crop growth.
“Korea has long experience and cutting-edge technologies in the field of agriculture and food security, which it is ready to share with the UAE,” said Kwon Yongwoo, Republic of Korea ambassador to the UAE.
"The two countries have great potential to become ideal partners in agriculture and food security, just as they are in many other areas.”
Farms in the UAE find a way to thrive amid pandemic:
Saturday's results
West Ham 2-3 Tottenham
Arsenal 2-2 Southampton
Bournemouth 1-2 Wolves
Brighton 0-2 Leicester City
Crystal Palace 1-2 Liverpool
Everton 0-2 Norwich City
Watford 0-3 Burnley
Manchester City v Chelsea, 9.30pm
Brief scores:
Toss: Sindhis, elected to field first
Kerala Knights 103-7 (10 ov)
Parnell 59 not out; Tambe 5-15
Sindhis 104-1 (7.4 ov)
Watson 50 not out, Devcich 49
SUCCESSION%20SEASON%204%20EPISODE%201
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreated%20by%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJesse%20Armstrong%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Brian%20Cox%2C%20Jeremy%20Strong%2C%20Kieran%20Culkin%2C%20Sarah%20Snook%2C%20Nicholas%20Braun%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
GOLF’S RAHMBO
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5pm: Handicap (PA) | Dh80,000 | 1,600 metres
Winner: Dasan Da, Saeed Al Mazrooei (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
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Name: Brendalle Belaza
From: Crossing Rubber, Philippines
Arrived in the UAE: 2007
Favourite place in Abu Dhabi: NYUAD campus
Favourite photography style: Street photography
Favourite book: Harry Potter
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
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