Cultivating desert agriculture

Summary

KAUST has inaugurated the Center for Desert Agriculture (CDA) to focus on research and real-world solutions for local, regional, and global agriculture. Professor Rod Wing will lead the CDA, focusing on crop plant variation, while Professor Mark Tester will serve as associate director, continuing his work on salt tolerance in crops. Other professors, such as Salim Al-Babili and Heribert Hirt, will continue their research into areas including combating parasitic weeds and global food security. Why it matters: The center's focus on desert agriculture and food security addresses critical regional and global imperatives, aligning with Saudi Arabia's broader goals of sustainable development and innovation in food production.