The UAE has launched an ambitious project in the city of Al Ain: cultivating rice in the desert. Researchers at the Khalifa Center for Genetic Engineering aim to enhance the country’s food security and reduce dependency on imports through genetic modification of rice plants.
In this initiative, heat-tolerant rice varieties from the Philippines, the U.S., and India have been imported and tested under the UAE’s harsh climate conditions. According to project lead Maryam Al Nuaimi, the most resilient strains were identified and crossbred to further improve their performance.
Al Nuaimi emphasized that traditionally, crops such as wheat, barley, lentils, and especially rice could not be cultivated in the UAE due to extreme weather conditions. However, recent scientific advances have made it possible to grow these crops in saline and arid soil.
One success story includes a genetically modified wheat variety showcased at the UAE Agriculture Exhibition 2025. Held from May 28 to 31 in Dubai, this is the country’s largest agricultural event, focusing on agri-tech innovations, youth participation, and food independence.
The research extends beyond rice. Scientists have also studied the drought-resistant Ghaf tree and identified genes that contribute to water resilience. These genes have been used to develop other plants, including drought-tolerant grass and grapevines grown on native rootstocks such as Arabian almond and Ghaf.
