Thursday, June 23, 2022 – at 9.00
Fra / Ali Salem ..
Al Ain, June 23 / WAM / Kafue, a company specializing in technology and automotive services, in collaboration with United Arab Emirates University has found an innovative mechanism for planting and germinating Ghaf tree seeds in harsh climatic locations such as the desert environment of the UAE using unmanned aerial technology dependent on artificial intelligence.
This research is the first of its kind to be conducted in the country and represents the second phase of the Kafue Ghaf Seed Cultivation Program, which aims to plant one million seeds in the UAE to help tackle climate change.
The idea of the project started when we saw forest fires in America, Brazil and in parts of the Amazon forest, and we asked a question about how to use technology and innovation to combat an urgent problem in the world, said Nabra Al Busaidi, director for the Sustainability and Society Department at Kafue. , namely climate change, and from here started the initiative, which received full support from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and the Sharjah Environment and Natural Reserve Authority.
Al Busaidi added: We promised to plant one million seeds in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and the environmental and nature reserves of Sharjah. The first phase witnessed the planting of 10,000 seeds, then we went to the second phase in partnership with the United Arab Emirates University, which is known as one of the best schools of agriculture and science in the region.
She stressed that the drought-resistant Ghaf tree is a national treasure in the United Arab Emirates and symbolizes tolerance, as it occupies a unique place in the heart of society and plays a role in improving the quality of the soil in which it is grown, as it absorbs up to 34.65 kg of harmful carbon dioxide daily to later release it as oxygen. , making its presence an environmental necessity. Note that the cultivation process requires very laborious. On the other hand, summer temperatures of 45 degrees affect the planting of sufficient trees to provide a practical and feasible effect. Using highly advanced AI-based drone technology to remove the “human element” from the cultivation process and deliver a “Made in UAE” solution that will generate planting of up to one million Ghaf tree seeds throughout the UAE, radically enhancing its natural environment and ecosystem.
Al Busaidi noted that the partnership with UAE University provides the opportunity to combine a range of skills from several teams in an exciting field of research with a university that is one of the most effective universities in the field of agricultural studies in the United Arab Emirates. research collaboration is the first of its kind. Its nature to improve the successful cultivation process in desert conditions by improving seed germination and water retention for the Ghaf tree and other desert plant species, helping to strengthen the UAE’s knowledge-based economy.
Al Busaidi revealed that the next phase will witness the implementation of the project in the Mleiha Desert in the Emirate of Sharjah by planting about 20,000 square meters next November, with the completion of the planting of one million seeds in the country’s deserts before the end of 2023.
Al Busaidi stressed that the Kafue Sustainability Pledge is a commitment that leads us towards decarbonisation, noting in this regard that the company has adhered to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, in particular Goal 13 for climate action, while Kafu is currently working on concluding and launching the first concrete sustainability report. It covers the three most important sustainable aspects of the environmental, economic and societal pillars. We plan to expand our products, services and presence, but we also have many planned strategies that put convenience, simplicity and ease of use at the heart of any experience.
Dr. Zainab Ahmed, assistant professor at the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine at UAE University, told the Emirates News Agency / WAM / that the university’s relationship with the idea of the project began with the signing of a research partnership agreement with Kafu to conduct research in cultivation and germination of Ghaf tree seeds in climatic locations As harsh as the desert environment of the UAE, which notes that the idea of the project is in line with the university’s scientific research strategy, as the university includes an elite group of experts in technology and techniques for seed cultivation and transactions that improve its cultivation, and said that the role of the university is to provide assistance for the development of planting of seeds Ghaf in this project and planned by the company “Kafo”.
Dr. Zainab explained that work began with the development of a research plan that consisted of several operational steps, such as treating the seeds, improving them to increase the criteria for success with germination, and creating a seed ball recipe to ensure the seeds do so. do not crack the drone nozzle during planting.
She noted that the research results helped increase germination from 20% under natural conditions to 80% and reduce the germination period from 20 days under natural conditions to 5 days after research and development operations, which will help the seeds of the Ghaf tree to overcome the difficult conditions. in the absence of nutrients and water in the desert She pointed out that choosing the appropriate time for planting is an important factor in the success of the project idea, as November is considered a good season for planting in the UAE.
Um / Ali Salem / Mustafa Badr El-Din
