DOHA: The State of Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Municipality, is celebrating the World Soil Day, that annually falls on December 5 each year.
Held under the theme of rural soil care: measurement, monitoring, and management, the celebration intends to shine a spotlight on the importance of accurate data and information to figure out soil characteristics, as well as support insightful decisions on the sustainable management of soil, thereby fostering food security.
Qatar’s participation in marking this day stems from the Qatar National Vision 2030, that seeks to achieve sustainable development, including the preservation of environment and natural resources.
Director of the Agricultural Research Department at the Ministry of Municipality, Hamad Saket Al Shammari, said that the Qatari genetic seed bank currently includes 1,138 plant entries, comprising many local wild plants such as Al Ghaf Sidr, Awsaj and others, as well as plants related to food and agriculture, such as tomatoes, corn, onions, et al.
He highlighted that the key objective of this bank is to preserve seeds that are compatible with the soil and climate conditions in Qatar after conducting the necessary research on them.
Additionally, the Department of Agricultural Research is making significant efforts in scientific research and development to optimise soil quality and increase its productivity, while leveraging various technologies, especially in light of the focus on achieving and sustaining food security, added Al Shammari.
Aisha Dasmal Al Kuwari from the Department of Agricultural Research asserted that since its inception in 2012, the Qatar Gene Bank has succeeded in studying and collating approximately 70% of local plant species in a form of seeds, along with herbaceous plants and DNA samples, emphasising that plant genetic resources are one of the national assets with strategic and economic value, since directly or indirectly support human livelihoods and ensure stability by providing food, medicine, fodder, fibres, clothing, shelter, and energy, in addition to their crucial role in conserving the environment and preventing soil degradation and erosion.
For his part, Biotechnology & Genetic Resources Expert at Ministry of Municipality, Dr. Elsayed M Elazazi, indicated that the Qatari Gene Bank compiled 1,138 samples from various sites across Qatar that included over 9 million seeds saved under standard conditions, either for long or short term preservation mechanism, representing over 150 species and nearly 200 unique species, with a special focus on vital domestic types that prevent land degeneration and enhance their sustainable management.
