The Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) has launched a new research project to study a few varieties of wheat in terms of their productivity and suitability to local conditions.

This is as part of its focus on identifying and encouraging the cultivation of strategic high quality crops suitable for UAE's climatic conditions and in support of the emirate's food security policy, a statement from ADFCA said.

An ambitious initiative aimed at better food security, the research project will analyse 100 varieties of wheat used in the production of bread flour. The wheat samples were acquired from international research centers such as the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre, Mexico.

Mohamed Jalal Al Rayssi, director of communication and community service at ADFCA, said: “The wheat would be studied for its resistance to diseases, production components and growth parameters. Those that are proven suitable for the UAE's climatic and environmental conditions will be selected and passed on to the farmers for cultivation."

Al Rayssi said types of wheat were cultivated in the Al Salaamaat Research Stations of the Authority in early November last year. "The Research and Development Division of ADFCA is working on introducing improved and suitable varieties of crops to the farming sector in the UAE.”

“The laboratories of the authority are constantly being strengthened with the latest and state-of-the-art tools and equipment. Our efforts are aimed at raising the bar on farming in the emirate with a view to achieve better food security through sustainable farming practices," he concluded. – TradeArabia News Service