Will UAE grow its own rice soon? Trials underway to test survival in arid climate

The UAE has long relied on to meet the demands of its diverse culinary culture. However, that dependency may soon shift, as a team of researchers in Al Ain is working on a project to genetically modify rice plants, enabling them to thrive in the UAE’s arid climate and strengthen the .

Trials are underway using rice varieties sourced from the Philippines, the United States, and India. These samples are being grown and evaluated under to determine which strains can best tolerate the region’s extreme heat, high soil salinity, and limited water availability.

“We brought in a variety of rice samples from around the world and planted them in different environments across the UAE,” said Maryam Al-Naimi, Laboratory Specialist at the Khalifa Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (KCGEB). “After assessing which ones survived and performed best, we selected the top strains and began crossbreeding them to enhance resilience and yield.”

Al-Naimi explained that many staple crops, like wheat, barley, lentils, and especially rice, have historically been absent from Emirati farms due to climate incompatibility. That’s now changing.

These advancements were a key highlight at the Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition 2025 running from May 28 to May 31, the country’s foremost event on sustainable farming. Held under the patronage of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the UAE and Chairman of the Presidential Court, the event convened over 20 sessions, 54 expert speakers, and placed a strong focus on agri-tech, youth engagement, and national food sovereignty.

She noted that the wheat showcased at the agriculture exhibition is one such success story — an early product of these experiments, which have been underway for the past two years. Before any crop is approved for local cultivation, it must pass regulatory review, but the vision is clear — to one day see Emirati-grown rice and wheat, born through science and selective hybridisation, on every table.

But rice isn’t the only focus.

At the core of KCGEB’s research is a study of how native plants survive the UAE’s harsh climate. One standout example is the Ghaf tree, a desert plant renowned for its ability to endure extreme heat and drought year-round.

“We looked into the Ghaf plant to find out what makes it so tough,” said Al-Naimi. “By identifying the genes that help it survive, we can transfer those same traits into other crops, making them more suitable for local farming.”

This technique has already delivered success. Scientists used Ghaf DNA to develop a drought-resistant creeping grass, which grows shorter than traditional grass and requires less water and maintenance. While not a food crop, it’s ideal for landscaping streets and homes, offering a glimpse into sustainable urban greening.

KCGEB’s work also extends to adapting grapevines to local conditions. In one experiment, scientists grafted international grape varieties onto native rootstocks like the Arabian almond and Ghaf. The result showed that high-quality grapes were capable of thriving in Emirati soil, paving the way for a potential locally grown fruit market.

Meanwhile, the centre is tackling a major agricultural threat — the red palm weevil, a destructive pest that endangers palm trees across the region.

Hashim ibn Hariz, another Laboratory Specialist at KCGEB, presented a promising genetic project. “We’re working to genetically alter the weevil’s olfactory receptors — essentially disrupting their sense of smell so they can’t track pheromones,” explained Ibn Hariz. “This could limit their reproduction and movement, offering a long-term solution to a widespread agricultural issue.”