March-April 2016

Minister of Climate Change and Environment of the UAE H.E. Dr. Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi visited today the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) in Dubai to learn more about the Center and its work on, among other things, climate change adaptation and mitigation in marginal environments.

Continuing efforts to restore degraded lands back into production and minimize further spread of salinity through irrigation and crop management, the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) and its partners have launched a new project called Rehabilitation and management of salt-affected soils to improve agricultural productivity (RAMSAP).

Agriculture in the arid areas of southwestern Kazakhstan is challenged by the poor quality of soil and shortage of water resources. Agricultural production is further constrained by intensive irrigation that is leading to soil erosion, loss of organic matter, salinization and waterlogging. These problems also cause shortage of fodder for livestock, an important element of rural life in Kazakhstan.