In collaboration with Qatar’s Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) – represented by the Public Parks Department – the Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD) has unveiled its pioneering work titled “Encyclopedia of Native & Non-Native Plants in Eastern Arabia” on the 8th edition of Qatar International Agricultural Exhibition (AgriteQ).

The Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD) launched the first-of-its-kind Encyclopedia of Native & Non-Native Plants in Eastern Arabia in collaboration with the Ministry of Municipality and Environment – represented by the Public Parks Department – at the 8th edition of Qatar International Agricultural Exhibition (AgriteQ), organized under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Khalid Bin Khalifa Bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of the State of Qatar. The five-day event is happening from March 23 to 27 at Doha Exhibition & Convention Center.

It took seven years of research work to prepare the encyclopedia. Along with the exploration of hundreds of specialized scientific publications, field research was conducted by a group of experts at GORD. The encyclopedia comprises six volumes covering approximately 2,500 pages, thereby providing a comprehensive guide on cultivating plants in Qatar’s desert terrain.

Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Dr. Yousef Alhorr, Founding Chairman of GORD said, “For the State of Qatar, it is a national imperative to enhance self-reliance in food security. To this end, AgriteQ continues to play a pivotal role through its all-inclusive platform for organizations operating in agriculture, engineering and related sectors. By providing access to some of the latest equipment, solutions and resources, the event represents a clear strategic plan for Qatar to achieve food security while also ensuring sustainable development.” Highlighting the Encyclopedia of Native & Non-Native Plants in Eastern Arabia as one of the resources launched at AgriteQ’s 2021 edition, Dr. Alhorr added, “Just like tech exchange, knowledge transfer is crucial for sustainable agriculture. To this end, the Encyclopedia of Native & Non-Native Plants in Eastern Arabia will guide agriculturists and engineers in responsible selection and optimum treatment of flora in the context of sustainable development.”

Mr. Muhammad Ali Al Khoury, Director of Public Parks Department at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, said, “Public Parks Department has invested years of research and experiments to reach a level of documentation that serves as a legacy for generations to follow. In this context, the Encyclopedia of Native & Non-Native Plants in Eastern Arabia has emerged as an asset for professionals working in relevant fields. We congratulate the Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD) for taking the lead and successfully developing this pioneering work the benefits of which transcend a range of sectors.”

The encyclopedia features a collection of plant species arranged systematically with descriptive details such as conservation status, worldwide distribution, nativity to the region, lifespan, adaptability, cultivation and plant forms. With economic, medicinal, landscaping and environmental uses consolidated in one place, the book serves as a reference tool for professionals dealing in diverse sectors such as architecture, health, medicine and landscape engineering to name a few. The rationale behind this encyclopedia’s launch during AgriteQ is for it to reach a wide spectrum of local and international audiences attending Qatar’s largest agricultural tradeshow.

For the last seven years, Qatar’s International Agricultural Exhibition (AgriteQ) has been providing an all-encompassing platform for local and international agriculture stakeholders. The event offers immense opportunities for industry specialists to explore a wide range of agricultural solutions, meet key decision makers, gain valuable insights, and discover the best practices in the world of agriculture.

This year, following the social distancing protocols implemented across Qatar amid the global pandemic, AgriteQ 2021 hosted a range of webinars on agriculture, environment, landscaping, food security and technology. Topics featured in these webinars included technology and innovation in the world of agriculture; innovation and programs for the climate change and environment protection; achieving sustainable development in animal production and food security; sustainable landscaping development and innovations, and 5G and new technology trends for sustainable agriculture development. Launched to boost Qatar’s agriculture and linked sectors, the ongoing International Agricultural Exhibition (AgriteQ) can be attended upon registration until it concludes on March 27.