Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Tarifa Alzaabi, Director General of the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) based in the United Arab Emirates, visited the International Innovation Center of the Aral Sea Region. During her visit, she met with Aziz Abdukhakimov, Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change.

During the visit, Tarifa Alzaabi was briefed on the ongoing work of an international project aimed at developing sustainable agriculture in collaboration with ICBA. Discussions included suggestions for addressing existing issues and providing the necessary laboratory equipment for the project’s implementation.

Additionally, topics such as the construction of a new modern greenhouse in the region, enhancing scientists’ qualifications, and other related issues were discussed.

The International Innovation Center of the Aral Sea Region has established partnerships with various international and local organizations and research institutes for scientific research and project implementation. Agreements and memoranda of understanding have been signed with over 50 foreign and local organizations.

As part of the ICBA project, research has been conducted on cultivating five quinoa plant samples, one amaranth plant sample, buffalo grass, blue millet, and ten sorghum samples, brought from various countries, as well as different wild plant species from the local flora (camel thorn, licorice, etc.).

Moreover, in collaboration with Tottori University (Japan), research is underway on selecting fast-growing tree species, including seabuckthorn, ailanthus, Canadian willow, and paulownia, for creating industrial plantations of plants adapted to the Aral Sea region. Ecological trials have been conducted on various samples of spring wheat, sorghum, corn, safflower, oilseed flax, African millet, alfalfa, soybeans, mung beans, and other plants.

With financial support from ICBA, a lysimetric research facility has been established to collect over ten types of soil from the desiccated bed of the Aral Sea and conduct scientific studies.