Koreans managed to grow rice in the UAE desert

On May 5, Korean agronomists plan to harvest the first crop from a rice field with an area of ​​1890 m2, located in the desert zone of the United Arab Emirates.

Experiment on growing a moisture-loving plantin the Rub al-Khali desert began with sowing seeds on November 25, 2019. According to calculations by experts from the South Korean Agricultural Administration, the plantation yield will be 763 kg of rice per 1000 m2, which is 40% more than the average volume usually harvested from the same plot in Korea. This increase is due to the large amount received by plantssunlight and essential nutrients.

The Koreans used for sowing a recently developed variety of Japanese rice, Asemi, with a ripening period of 160 days, which can be grown even in non-tropical countries.

However, despite the increased yield,due to the low rainfall and the lack of necessary irrigation systems, the first crop will be unprofitable, because the team had to use desalinated sea water. The supply of suitable water to the desert costs $ 16.5 thousand per hectare, which is three times higher than the cost of the grown product.

Therefore, in further experiments, scientists will solve the problem of water supply by using underground sources, using new cultivation methods and drip irrigation.

Previously, we also wrote that the changesclimate change, the fight against diseases of livestock and plants are prompting scientists from the agricultural sector to use new methods that previously could only be found in films.

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