Date Palm is an important food crop in arid lands, especially the Middle East. Why not get a seat at the 7th International Date Palm Conference, held this year in Abu Dhabi, Emirates? The place, Emirates Palace Hotel, will be sure to impress for 3 days this March. The website link for all information concerning …
Crop wild relatives can lend genes to our food crops, making them more food secure for the future
Looking online for some information about Middle East wild crop relatives, I ran across this article published in 20 Dec. 2017 in natureasia.com, (nature middle east section). It's entitled, Shaking up salt-friendly agriculture, written by Sedeer El-Showk. High salt-tolerant crops grown in the Middle East are a new focus for scientific study and genome sequencing …
Salt tolerant plants for future food production: Middle East research with desert plants and microbes
Living in Saudi Arabia became a catalyst that began my interest, starting with dust storms, in learning about desert ecosystems and agriculture. The environment being so foreign to my past experiences living on planet earth, was something I wanted to understand better. Through reading many scientific articles relating to desert environments, heat extremes, desertification, sand …
Arid and Semi-Arid Areas of Southwest US – Agroforestry Practices to Mitigate Climate Change, Build Soil and Food Security
This past semester as a graduate student was challenging, but I learned so much from the professor and class, besides the readings and lectures. I wanted to bring some of what I had learned while living in Saudi Arabia to the class, as well as learn about what other areas of the world are doing …
What is Evergreen Agriculture; and can Saudi Arabia use this technology in some areas of the country?
There is an agroforestry technology derived by mimicking nature, which has been used in African countries with success. It provides a productive landscape for humans, nature and animals. This technique is termed "Evergreen Agriculture", and keeps the soil covered, as well as produces shade, while growing food and animals in multi-tiered landscaped systems. Read a …
Saudi’s green initiative to include Hail region: Drones will be used to disperse seeds on 200+ hectares
There are many ways people are using trees, shrubs and grasses, to combat desertification of dry, arid land. Saudi has the technology to try new approaches in areas that require a lot of input of resources; seeds, plants, fertilizer, water, labor, to make a more biodiverse landscape. A new article in Arabnews.com, describes briefly how …
Saudi plan for expanded date production and pest management
Date Palms for food security in arid regions are a nutritionally important staple food. You can eat them fresh, cooked or dried and they are naturally portable when you go long distances. These trees may be overlooked in other areas of the world, but as climate change occurs, should we consider cultivating date palms in …
Continue reading "Saudi plan for expanded date production and pest management"
AlUla in 2 1/2 Days! March 2021 (1 of 4)–Hegra UNESCO site–many videos
This was one of the best experiences I have had here in Saudi Arabia. One of the most beautiful places and historically interesting sites. I have taken hundreds of photos and really could just make a photographic journey of memories. One lesson here: the light quality and surrounding landscape make even the worst photographer great. …
Continue reading "AlUla in 2 1/2 Days! March 2021 (1 of 4)–Hegra UNESCO site–many videos"
Saudi date fruit coming to you in the future
Here is some welcome news for anyone who has been to Saudi Arabia and tried the fine quality dates that grow here. So many varieties make Saudi dates one delicious treat, especially now that they may be up for export. One of my regrets of leaving this country, is the fact that most of the …
Continue reading "Saudi date fruit coming to you in the future"
Happy Earth Day 2021!
Every Earth Day doesn't necessarily mean you need to plant a tree. It means look at the world around you and see where you can make a difference in nature. And make sure to nurture and take care of the tree you planted last year. Well I am a day late in posting for Earth …