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Hydroponics : beating hunger |
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by Arushi Madan | 30-07-2015 02:40 0 |
Using hydroponics, Emirati farmer Saleh Mohammad Yarouf Al Mansouri unveils exciting solution to curb hunger by growing rice, pineapple, papayas, nectarines, oranges, black and blueberries and grapes without soil. He has demonstrated his amazing green thumb by growing rice in the desert. He is one of exhibitors at the on-going Liwa Dates Festival 2015, an agricultural event which ends on July 30. On Friday, he exhibited an exciting experiment that could potentially help beat hunger especially in the world's arid regions. He is planting rice in his farm in Liwa, an oasis in the UAE's south-western region.And his new experiment is starting to bear fruit using a water-efficient farming method called hydroponics. Al Mansouri has been growing vegetables and fruits too, which he brought for everyone to see at the on-going Liwa Dates Festival 2015. The Emirati farmer had been using hydroponics to grow vegetables for years. Hydroponics is a branch of hydro-culture which employs a method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions directly in water without soil .Many commercial farms in the UAE had been using hydroponics for decades now to grow everything from strawberries to celery for both local and export markets. But Al Mansouri has now taken it to higher pitch by demonstrating he can also grow and harvest rice too potentially helping solve land and water scarcity for the cultivation of rice. The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), based in Los Banos, Philippines, estimates that up to 20 million hectares of irrigated rice fields may suffer from water scarcity by 2025. With technologies like hydroponics ,we can face such challenges. Started with Experiment The Emirati farmer said he started his experiments back in 2010 by planting various types of vegetables and other plants in his Liwa farm. As the experiments proved to be a complete success, Al Mansouri decided to grow the vegetables in commercial quantities. At the festival, Al Mansouri is exhibiting other fruits which he grew using the same method such as pineapples, papayas, nectarines, oranges, black and blue berries and grapes. Then he started planting rice and is now exhibiting his hydroponic rice product samples at the agro-industrial event. Al Mansouri's passion for hydroponics makes him believe this modern food production method could be used on a much larger scale over the coming years, through the use of a smart irrigation system. He also urged other farmers to try and use it and clarified that this method is neither complicated nor costly Hay from rice could also potentially boost local production of animal fodder, which could help the local dairy industry. Now we can see a green desert full of paddy fields. This is a step-forward to become self sufficient in all areas for the gulf people and less dependent of outside world for essential items. Source : The National Gulf News |
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5 Comments
Hello arushi
I hope you are doing well
Great piece of writing
Thank you so much for this report
Keep writing
Green cheers
Regards
Asmita Gaire
Posted 30-05-2020 22:30
My salute to Al Mansouri for his effective use of HYDROPONICS in an arid land of UAE to grow crops, food and vegetables. I am hopeful that this technology be widely applied in coming days.
Thank you for the update dear Arushi sister :)
Posted 31-07-2015 11:52
Indeed, hydroponics is now receiving attention and it is good especially if given the proper promotion in countries where agriculturally productive lands are scarce. However, it will be better i this technology is integrated into the concepts of organics, ecological agriculture, etc. so that not only will it be efficient but also environmentally sustainable.
Posted 30-07-2015 22:07
Hydroponics is a great way and indeed an efficient one that will conserve our valuable resources.This Emirati farmer is a great inspiration for all others.Thanks for the info..
Posted 30-07-2015 19:27
Thanks for sharing about the hydroponic plant development Arushi!!! Indeed, that is a sustainable way of biomass production. keep going!!!
Posted 30-07-2015 11:26