Native Plants showcase strong potential for Sustainable Agriculture in the UAE

Global food systems are increasingly vulnerable to the compounding impacts of climate change. Rising temperatures, unpredictable weather patterns, and extreme climate events are straining agricultural output, making it difficult not only to produce food, but also to store and transport it safely – contributing to volatile food prices.

In the UAE, only 0.6% of land is arable and suitable for agriculture. Farms have increasingly been abandoned due to salinization and soil degradation. As a result, our food system is heavily reliant on global supply chains, with more than 80% of our food imported from other regions. As our population continues to grow, a sustainable approach to food and water is critical to enhance food security and build a resilient agricultural sector.

Scientific research and pilot conservation programmes led by Emirates Nature-WWF and its partners show that native plants – such as Arabian Moringa (Shu’a) and the halophytes Salicornia and Arthrocaulon – can support the transformation of local food systems while supporting biodiversity and enhancing climate resilience. These plants, adapted over millennia to the region’s hot, arid environment, offer exciting possibilities for sustainable agriculture and the economic empowerment of rural farming communities.

Arabian Moringa, known locally as Shu’a, is a fast-growing tree that has adapted to the high temperatures and variable rainfall of the Arabian mountains. For centuries, it has been valued by ancient Greeks, Egyptians, Romans and Arabs for its versatile uses in cooking, perfumery and cosmetics.

Compared to other Moringa variants, Arabian Moringa produces a premium oil with a healthy fatty acid profile, high antioxidant content, and a higher smoke point than olive oil - making it an excellent choice for frying and grilling. The young Arabian Moringa produces an edible tuber with a wasabi-like flavour, making it a unique ingredient for enhancing sauces or crafting tangy pickles. Beyond the kitchen, Shu’a oil offers remarkable benefits for skin and hair. It was also once prized as a high-quality lubricant for watches!

Arabian Moringa is cultivated in only one other part of the world, and we are excited to lay the foundation for its cultivation in the UAE.

To unlock its full potential, Emirates Nature-WWF is engaging closely with local farm owners to raise awareness of Arabian Moringa’s economic value and numerous conservation benefits, while integrating modern, sustainable techniques alongside traditional farming practices.

In 2024, close to 200 farm owners and workers were trained in agroecology and sustainable practices, and 2,000 Arabian Moringa trees were planted on farms in the mountain landscapes of Ajman, Fujairah and Sharjah. A unique collaboration with one farm owner led to the creation of a delicate floral ‘Arabian Moringa’ scent, which has been added to the palette of leading fragrance company CPL Aromas and paves the way for new nature-friendly business opportunities for rural communities.

We are building on this momentum in 2025 and look forward to achieving greater scale with the support of existing partners and new investors.

Equally exciting are halophytes - salt-loving plants that thrive in high-saline environments such as the saltmarshes found along the UAE’s coastline. Nutritional analyses conducted by scientists from the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture as part of the Nature-based Solutions project reveal that locally grown halophytes are rich in antioxidants, fibre and vitamins C, B1, and B12, as well as all nine amino acids – a rarity amongst plants.

Though relatively unknown in the UAE’s culinary landscape, halophytes have long been consumed in other parts of the world where they are known as samphire, sea beans, sea asparagus, glasswort or pickleweed.

As a plant-based superfood, halophytes have the potential to contribute to the growing Superfood Market, which is estimated to expand from USD 183 billion in 2024 to USD 330 billion by 2034. Currently, a few gourmet restaurants in the UAE, such as BOCA and Eugene, offer seasonal dishes with Salicornia imported from France, the UK and the Netherlands, priced at an average of AED 128/kg. However, our pilot suggests that locally grown Salicornia could be offered at a much more affordable AED 75/kg, opening up opportunities for chefs to incorporate this nutritious and versatile plant into a broader range of dishes at a more accessible price point.

To raise excitement and awareness around locally grown halophytes, Nature-WWF and our partners have launched a new concept book, Halophytes - The UAE's Secret Ingredient for Climate-Resilient Cuisine. The book features innovative combinations and applications of halophytes alongside other local ingredients, created by prominent names such as Patricia Roig, Executive Chef at MICHELIN Green Star restaurant BOCA, Kelvin Cheung, Chef Partner of MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants Jun’s, and award-winning Chef Luca Cobre of Healthy Farm Eatery.

By creating a market for Arabian Moringa and locally grown halophytes, we aim to support the local cultivation of these plants and boost agricultural innovation, which in turn can create alternative revenue streams for local communities, spark greater SME growth and entrepreneurship, and support economic diversification.

However, these options remain inaccessible for many due to a lack of familiarity and lack of availability in the local market. By investing in public awareness and education, scientific research, support for local farmers and culinary innovation, we have an opportunity to tap into these climate-resilient ingredients, contributing towards a more sustainable, food-secure UAE.