Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) said it has signed a collaboration agreement with the Khalifa Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (KCGEB) to implement a detailed implementation plan for all phases of Abu Dhabi's Agricultural Genome Programme.

 

Launched by ADAFSA in collaboration with some national research centres, the programme, the first of its kind in the region, aims at applying the best international practices related to agricultural genetic research, which promotes Abu Dhabi's position in this field at the regional and international levels.

 

The programme is part of ADAFSA's Strategic Plan for 2022-2025. It aims to develop local spices of plant, animal and fish, to improve agricultural production and address the emirate's climatic and environmental challenges. 

 

It also features establishing a gene bank and database to conserve local plant, animal and fish genetic resources.

 

"The agreement aims to boost our collaboration with KCGEB by implementing the agriculture genome programme. The programme promotes sustainable agricultural production by improving plant and animal species, thus increasing the agricultural sector's contribution to Abu Dhabi's GDP," stated Dr Maryam Hareb Al Suwaidi, Deputy Director-General for Operational Affairs at ADAFSA, after signing the deal with Dr Khalid Ahmed Amir, Director of KCGEB.

 

Al Suwaidi emphasised that the genome programme will help establish a scientific database for this field and qualify national specialists in genomics research. 

 

The programme acts as a local and regional reference in the area of using genomic technologies to improve agricultural production and rationalise natural resource consumption, she added.

 

Dr Amiri said the KCGEB has a great experience in applying genome technologies and providing unique solutions for sustainable agriculture development. 

 

The genome programme reflects ADAFSA's insightful vision to reach its objectives and localise scientific knowledge, he added.-TradeArabia News Service