Abu Dhabi launches agriculture genome program
Modifying plants’ genetic traits could help with global food supply issues.
The Abu Dhabi Authority for Agriculture and Food Safety launched the Abu Dhabi Agricultural Genome Program Wednesday, the official Emirates News Agency reported.
What is it: Genomics in agriculture refers to the reading of genetic information of plants. The technology allows farmers to modify crops’ genes or introduce new genes to get better yields. The process is used to address food security and hunger issues worldwide, according to the National Human Genome Research Institute in the United States.
The program in Abu Dhabi will work with plants and animals to gain more sustainable food for the domestic market. To this end, it will establish a gene bank for plant and animal species, according to the agency.
Food security is an issue throughout the Middle East. In addition to environmental issues such as desertification, much of the region’s food imports have been disrupted by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. War-torn Yemen has also been struggling with famine for years.
