Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) has signed a deal with International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) to build a soil museum in Dubai, UAE.

The Emirates Soil Museum will be the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region, said a statement from ICBA.

A unique hub for soil education, the museum is set to open in December, it added.

The facility will provide vital information on the critical role of soil in the natural environment and demonstrate the importance of soil in urban planning and how it’s the underlining measure to manage and secure food sources, said Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, the director-general of ADFD, after signing the agreement with Dr Ismahane Elouafi, the director-general of ICBA.

"At ADFD, we possess the expertise, know-how and resources to profoundly drive socio-economic growth, stemming from 45 years of experience and the successful development of 481 projects, 55 of which fostered expansions in the sector of agriculture and irrigation," he stated.

Dr Elouafi said: "As soil is a non-renewable resource, it is essential to ensure its preservation for food security and a sustainable future. This requires continued public awareness of the importance of soil and the negative impact of its unsustainable uses."

"Therefore, we are setting up the Emirates Soil Museum with support from the Government of the UAE, and in particular ADFD, so that the museum will serve as a repository of knowledge for scholars and the general public who are interested in soil preservation," he added.

The funding by ADFD will also equip the exterior landscape with interactive learning features, enhance the interior exhibits with augmented reality, advance learning modules, develop an engaging and user-friendly website for children and cover operating costs for 24 months.-TradeArabia News Service