ENG - UN CC:Learn

IRAN
OMAN
ARAB STATES
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
SPOTLIGHT
Genetic Engineering Preserves Heritage and Combats Desertification 1
QATAR
Persian Gulf
SAUDI ARABIA
Sharjah
Dubai
Abu Dhabi
UNITED ARAB
EMIRATES
The Red Palm Weevil (RPW) is considered a major pest of the date palm in the
Middle East. Over a 5-year period between 1990-1995, the number of RPW infected
trees in the UAE jumped from 13,000 to 44,000. The rate of pest infestation is
doubling annually and represents a major threat to the date industry. However, in
the UAE date palms are far more than just a crop; they are part of a rich heritage – the tree is the national symbol – and a source
of shelter and food. In addition, the date palm is an important means to combat desertification and benefit the economy.
The Date Palm Research and Development Programme (DPRDP) was initiated as a 2-phase project in 2000 to protect and
enhance the development of country’s date palm industry and combat desertification, by developing national capacities,
research and expertise in this specialist area of national interest. The project is managed by the UAE
University, in cooperation with UNDP, with funding of US$ 710,000 and US$ 930,000 respectively
for the first and second phases provided by the Government.
UAE’s national expertise and know-how in the field of tissue culture and genetic engineering
will help protect the various varieties of date palm from undesired pest strains. The
annual date harvest has risen more than 53 times since 1961, from less than 6,000 metric
tonnes to 316,000 in 2002.
The project’s first phase ended in 2004 and the second phase will continue through 2008,
building on the results achieved thus far, further developing and consolidating date palm
applications in the areas of micro-propagation, genetic fingerprinting and date production.
OMAN
LAND
QUICK FACTS
CURRENT PORTFOLIO BUDGET
Total UNDP and Co-Finance: $6,872,485
Total: $6,872,485
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