Category Archives: Agriculture

Aquaculture Using Desalination Brine: Transforming a Waste Stream into Sustainable Food Production

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The rapid expansion of desalination capacity in arid and semi‑arid regions has generated an urgent need to find sustainable uses for the concentrated brine by‑product produced by seawater and brackish water desalination plants. Traditionally, brine has been treated as a waste stream, often discharged into the sea or terrestrial environments with little or no value recovery. Because most desalination technologies, especially reverse osmosis, produce brine with salinities significantly higher than natural seawater, improper disposal of this stream can lead to negative environmental impacts, including increased salinity in coastal zones, benthic ecosystem disruption, and changes in water column chemistry. However, over … Continue reading →

Integration of Renewable Energy and Agriculture for Sustainable Water–Food Systems

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The increasing pressure on water, energy, and food systems in arid and semi-arid regions has accelerated the search for integrated solutions capable of addressing these interconnected challenges. In the MENA region, where water scarcity is structural and climate change is intensifying hydrological variability, the convergence of renewable energy and agriculture has emerged as a strategic pathway toward sustainability. In particular, the coupling of renewable energy technologies with brackish water desalination offers a promising approach to support high-value crop production while minimizing environmental impacts and enhancing resource efficiency. This integrated paradigm aligns with the water–energy–food nexus framework, emphasizing synergies, co-benefits, and … Continue reading →

Benefits of Rotational Grazing + Creating A Herd Migration In Your Farm Pasture

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Rotational grazing is a concept that has similar benefits to rotating farm crops. When an area is constantly sucked of its nutrients, it can have a harder time naturally restoring itself. The same can be said for grazing fields. However, livestock prefer eating premature new crops instead of grazing in areas that haven’t been touched. That’s why rotational grazing and creating a herd migration in your farm pasture is a great idea. Free range is still a concept, but you may notice that the landscape has continued to change in pastures. When you drive by a farm now and see … Continue reading →

Biomass Potential of Date Palm Wastes

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Date palm is one of the principal agricultural products in the arid and semi-arid region of the world, especially Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. There are more than 120 million date palm trees worldwide yielding several million tons of dates per year, apart from secondary products including palm midribs, leaves, stems, fronds and coir. The Arab world has more than 84 million date palm trees with the majority in Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and United Arab Emirates. Egypt is the world’s largest date producer with annual production of 1.47 million tons of dates in … Continue reading →

Bats as Nature’s Pest Controllers: Reducing Pesticide Use in MENA Agriculture Through Bat-Friendly Ecosystems

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Farmers across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are facing the challenge of protecting crops from pests while reducing the environmental and economic costs of chemical pesticides. Luckily, a quieter and more sustainable option already exists in the night sky. Insect-eating bats are a practical and effective way to control pests naturally. The Growing Challenge of Pests in a Changing Climate Climate change is reshaping agriculture worldwide, including in MENA. Warmer winters allow more insects to survive year-round, while hotter summers speed up breeding cycles. These changes result in expanded geographical distribution and increased survival, putting pressure on crops. … Continue reading →

Desert Locusts: A Major Threat to Food Security in Africa and Africa

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The latest outbreak of locusts over eastern Africa has been ongoing since the beginning of this year. It is considered by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the UN as the worst outbreak of locusts in 70 years. The threat of the desert locust is extreme urgent as it’s a major threat to the food security in the region. Bearing in mind, that this region is extremely vulnerable to the predominant subsistence lifestyle. It also appears that new breeding may have occurred in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia which will intensify the infestation. The question that are foremost in minds … Continue reading →

Environmental Impact of Olive Oil Processing

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More commonly known for its popular culinary and medicinal benefits, olive cultivation, olive oil production and oil packaging are a part of the local heritage and rural economy throughout the North African and Mediterranean regions. In 2012, an estimated 2,903,676 tons of olive oil was produced worldwide, the largest olive oil producers being Spain, Italy, and Greece followed by Turkey and Tunisia and to a lesser extent Portugal, Morocco and Algeria. Within the European Union’s olive sector alone, there are roughly 2.5 million producers, who make up roughly one-third of all EU farmers. The olive oil industry offers valuable opportunities to … Continue reading →

Best Soil Types for Vegetable Gardens

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You’re about to dig into your backyard, but choosing the right soil can feel like deciphering a secret recipe. Loam, sandy loam, or clay loam – each sets the stage for how vibrant your tomatoes and greens will be. Before hauling bags, remember that soil depth adds up quickly; running the numbers with a simple topsoil calculator prevents over- or under-buying for raised beds and open rows. Soil Composition Essentials Before planting a single seed, grasp what makes soil thrive: balanced minerals, living organisms, air pockets, and moisture reservoirs working together to nourish dependable, vigorous vegetables. Mineral Makeup Matters Sand, … Continue reading →

Soil as the Foundation of a Healthy Earth

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A special day, a day to reflect on how critical and important the soil is for everyone on the planet. Soil is a life-giving and a life-sustaining component of all our environmental ecosystems. Yet most people look at soil with disgust, thinking it is just dirt, acting as if it’s the dirtiest component of the natural world.  I beg to differ and will set out information to inform our readers of just how crucial soil is to our very existence. Soil is so critical in our survival. It controls the food security of the planet. It ensures the sustainability of … Continue reading →

Scaling Sustainable Agri-Tech in MENA: Policy, Finance and the Roadblocks Ahead

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Food security in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is facing a turning point. It’s well known that the area is short on fertile land. What’s newsworthy is that agri-tech solutions are being mobilized quickly to address this long-standing issue and how policy, capital and old-school obstacles shape the path ahead. Here’s a clear view of what’s happening, how it works and why it matters. The State of Agri-Tech in MENA The hunger risk in MENA is serious. In 2023, 66.1 million people in Arab regions faced starvation. Wars are driving several countries toward famine, while water scarcity … Continue reading →

Cereal Supply Chain in the MENA Region

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The cereal supply chain in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is highly exposed to disruption risks due to vulnerabilities at both production and post-production stages. Inappropriate climate conditions, water scarcity, fragmented farm structure, insufficient access to input, and inappropriate use of arable land are some prominent production-related problems. On the other hand, high harvest-post-harvest losses, lack of storage capacity, heavy dependence on imports, and lack of investment in technology are among post-production vulnerabilities. The World Bank classifies MENA region as comprising 19 countries, spanning from the Atlantic Ocean (adjacent to Morocco) to the Arabian Sea (adjacent to Oman), … Continue reading →

نبات الالوفيرا – النبات المعجزة

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نبات الالوفيرا من النباتات المنتشرة قديماً خلال القرنين الثامن عشر والتاسع عشر ميلادياً،وهو نبات معمر عصاري (أوراقه تحتوي كميات كبيرة من الماء) يمكن أن ينمو إلى طول يصل إلى 4 أقدام، أوراقه قاسيه رمحية لحمية وتنمو لتصل إلى 36 بوصة طول ،أما مادة  الهلام السميكة الموجود في الجزء الداخلي من الورقة فهي المادة الأكثر شيوعاً في الاستخدامات المختلفة والهامة جداً حيث يوجد أكثر من 300 نوع منها واستمرت خصائصها العلاجية لأكثر من خمسة الاف سنة .وقد عاد الباحثين والعلماء تسليط الضوء في الوقت الحالي على هذا النبات لفوائده الكثيرة فعند قطع ورقة الألوفيرا يستخلص منها مادة الهلام (الجيلي السائل) فهذا … Continue reading →