Promising Climate-Resilient Ingredient from UAE showcased at Umm Al Quwain Halophytes Harvest Festival

Umm Al Quwain, 24 October 2024: On the occasion of World Food Day, the Umm Al Quwain (UAQ) Department of Tourism and Archaeology and environmental charity Emirates Nature-WWF organized the UAQ Halophytes Harvest Festival to present an innovative local solution that promotes sustainable food systems and food security. Held in partnership with the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) and Casa Mikoko, the festival welcomed members of the UAQ Business Women Council, local decision-makers and partners of the “Nature-based Solutions for Climate, Biodiversity & People” project to experience and share their feedback on a promising new superfood for the UAE: halophytes.

The enhancement and cultivation of two halophytic plants—Salicornia and Arthrocaulon—have been implemented at various sites in UAQ as a nature-based solution. These edible plants are adapted to thrive in saline environments and grow naturally along the UAQ coastline. They serve as effective carbon sinks, removing carbon from the atmosphere while also contributing to the well-being of the natural ecosystem. Given the significant benefits that halophytes present for climate, sustainability and food security, a pioneering team of scientists, environmental conservationists, sustainability champions, and chefs are advocating the use of native halophytic plants as a nutritious, locally harvested, and climate-resilient culinary ingredient.

Held at Casa Mikoko in the UAQ Mangrove Reserve, the UAQ Halophytes Harvest Festival featured an exclusive tour of one halophytes cultivation pilot where guests participated in hands-on activities, picking fresh tips of the local halophytes Salicornia and Arthrocaulon and transplanting seedlings. Following this experience, guests enjoyed a special chef demonstration showcasing the culinary applications of halophytes, which included a delightful tasting session organized by Chef Bethany Kehdy. Feedback on the offered menu was collected and will play an invaluable role in shaping the uptake of the ingredient and the future of climate-resilient cuisine in the UAE.

H.E. Haytham Sultan Al Ali, Director General of the UAQ Department of Tourism and Archaeology, Umm Al Quwain: "The halophyte harvest initiative in Umm Al Quwain is an important step to enhance eco-tourism in the emirate and to create a new experience for visitors to the Umm Al Quwain Mangrove Reserve. It combines an introduction to halophyte plants and their environmental and economic importance, giving visitors the opportunity to engage in activities that raise environmental awareness about the importance of these plants for climate, sustainability, and food security."

Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, Director General at Emirates Nature-WWF commented: “Halophytes are a powerful nature-based solution with wide-ranging benefits for climate, biodiversity and society. These native plants can be produced at scale by local communities and have captivated chefs and business leaders across the UAE with their bold flavours and versatility. The UAQ Halophytes Harvest Festival has brought us one step closer to bringing this promising ingredient to market.”

Dr Tarifa Alzaabi, Director General at ICBA commented: “ICBA has been at the forefront of halophytic crop research since our inception, focusing on developing a value chain for these resilient plants. Our efforts in Umm Al Quwain have yielded substantial scientific insights into the optimal cultivation strategies for native species such as Salicornia and Arthrocaulon. Through comprehensive nutritional analyses, we have discovered that these halophytes are rich in minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and fatty acids and provide all nine essential amino acids. This research supports our mission to bridge the gap between science and society, creating sustainable food systems that integrate these valuable crops to meet future nutritional needs.”

This initiative is part of the wider Nature-based Solutions project in the UAE, a multi-stakeholder initiative funded by HSBC Bank Middle East, which focuses on the protection, restoration and management of coastal ecosystems in the UAE, while also opening up benefits for biodiversity and society.