DUBAI, 19th August 2013 (WAM)-- Efforts by the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), a UAE-based a not-for-profit, international center of excellence for research and development in marginal environments, were discussed today as Dr. Rashid Ahmed bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water, received a delegation led by Dr. Ismahane Elouafi, the Director General of ICBA.
In his remarks at the meeting, the Minister praised the Centre's efforts to promote sustainable agriculture in the UAE. For her part, Elouafi spoke about the agriculture of Quinoa , a grain-like high protein crop grown primarily for its edible seeds, in South America as an alternative to wheat. She also made note efforts being made by Costa Rica to promote potato agriculture, and by Morocco to promote date palm agriculture in oases, on saline soils. The Minister welcomed the possibility of benefiting from the experiences of these two countries at the Ministry's research center which contributes to bolstering of the country's food security.Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2013.
