Quinoa labelled ‘perfect crop' for UAE climate conditions

Scientist at Abu Dhabi’s Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture to support quinoa cultivation by UAE farmers

Abu Dhabi, 3 February 2016: Scientists have identified quinoa as an optimal crop for cultivation in the marginal climatic conditions of the UAE following years of extensive research.

The International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) has worked in partnership with Abu Dhabi’s Ministry of Environment and Water and the Abu Dhabi Farmer Service Centre in the UAE since 2010 to test selected quinoa varieties and learn about their potential to be grown in saline environments.

Dr Nanduri K. Rao, Plant Genetic Resources Scientist at International Center for Biosaline Agriculture, confirmed that quinoa has exceptional adaptation qualities for marginal environments such as the UAE.

Speaking ahead of his participation in the upcoming Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture (GFIA), 16-17 February at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, he said: “Trials in the UAE resulted in the identification of four quinoa genotypes that are suitable for sandy soils such as those in the Arabian Peninsula.”

“They also matched highest yields reported from countries where quinoa is cultivated traditionally such as Bolivia, the crop’s homeland.  This makes quinoa a crop of choice for marginal environments and I encourage farmers to plant it in their fields.”

Tested quinoa varieties produced impressive results of 10.5 tons/ha, even with high salinity (EC) when planted in abandoned saline farms and where traditional crops could not grow properly.

Besides its stress tolerance, quinoa is one of the most nutritious food crops currently known.  The grain has high nutritional quality, and according to Dr Rao, “It is far superior to the commonly grown staple food crops, such as wheat, rice, and corn.”

His presentation at the Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture on Wednesday 17 February in the event’s Innovations Theatre will discuss quinoa as a future-proof crop for climate smart agriculture.  Dr Rao is confident that the crop’s eco-versatility combined with its high nutritional value makes quinoa a prominent opportunity to address the future global food demand.

“I strongly believe that public-private sector partnerships are essential to finding innovative solutions to water scarcity in agricultural sector and to ensure that scientific innovations become valuable tools for farmers.”

According to Dr Rao’s report there are more than 15,000 accessions of quinoa conserved in the genebanks, most of them in the Andes region and whose potential and nutritional value has not been investigated outside South America.

The GFIA exhibition and conference, held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, and in strategic partnership with ADFCA, will feature more than 300 next-generation agricultural solutions that could shape the future of sustainable farming around the world.

Co-located alongside VIV MEA, the two events are expected to host more than 500 exhibitors of innovative technology, making Abu Dhabi home to the largest agricultural event in the region.  The organisers also expect to build upon last year’s 4,550 visitors from 85 countries.

GFIA is sponsored by the UAE Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Khalifa International Award for Date Palm & Agricultural Innovation, Abu Dhabi Farmers Services Centre, Emirates Food Industries, Koppert Biological Systems, AGCO, GODAN and CoolFarm and staged with the support of Masdar Institute, University of Arizona, Kingdom of The Netherlands, Clinton Climate Initiative, CTA, GlobalG.A.P, CGIAR, SAI Platform, Wageningen UR and the Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau.