Abu Dhabi: Farmers are being taught new techniques to increase productivity, which will help reduce the price of vegetables, the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) said.
The techniques include grafting methods for a wide range of vegetables and controlling various diseases and pests, said Saeed Jasem Mohammad, acting director of communication at ADFCA.
About 20 officials in various agricultural institutions have been trained in these techniques and they will train farmers on the field.
The Research and Development Division of ADFCA, in cooperation with the World Vegetable Centre, organised a training workshop on grafting methods at the authority's research station located in Al Ain.
The workshop provided important instructions on the advantages of grafting, technical details for implementing the technology, and hands-on training on how to graft tomatoes, eggplant, pepper, cucumber, pumpkin, watermelon, bitter gourd, bottle gourd and some other vegetables.
Studies
Grafting specialist Wu Deng-lin and technology dissemination specialist of the World Vegetable Centre Dr Gregory C. Luther also demonstrated the different techniques.
Following the training course, ADFCA's Research and Development Division is planning to conduct studies on using local plants as rootstock for higher vegetable production.
These plants may be able to resist drought and high temperatures on the one hand and diseases on the other.
Rootstock is the root or part of a root used for plant propagation.
Source of support
The Research and Development Division conducts research into food and agriculture and serves as a principal source of support to develop technical work in ADFCA's various sectors.
The division conducts and oversees applied scientific research for improving productivity and guaranteeing food safety, and improving agriculture and animal wealth.
It also contributes to technology transfer in line with the requirements of the emirate to raise the bar on food safety and agriculture.
There are four research stations — two in Al Ain (Al Salamat and Al Kuwaitat), one in Bani Yas and another one in the Western Region.
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