This article focuses on the various concerns in view of the contemporary advancements in bio-farming.   The consequences of green revolution have inspired the farmers to embrace bio-farming. This paper has summarized the prospects with respect to bio- farming possibility in United Arab Emirates (UAE). The infertility of soil, salinity and climate are the fundamental issues in UAE. These draw backs can be approached scientifically and resolved.  The possibility of bio-farming on barren land has been discussed.  It is established that bio-farming is successful in UAE with a scientific approach.             Plants need nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as micronutrients and symbiotic relationships with fungi and other organisms to flourish, but getting enough nitrogen, and particularly synchronization so that plants get enough nitrogen at the right time, is likely the greatest challenge for organic farmers. Crop rotation and green manure help to provide nitrogen through legumes which fix nitrogen from the atmosphere through symbiosis with rhizobial bacteria. Intercropping, which is sometimes used for insect and disease control, can also increase soil nutrients, but the competition between the legume and the crop can be problematic and wider spacing between crop rows is required.  Bio-farmers also use animal manure, certain processed fertilizers such as seed meal and various mineral powders such as rock phosphate and greensand, a naturally occurring form of potash which provides potassium. Together these methods help to control erosion.  In some cases pH need to be regulated using lime or sulfur.             In this paper, an attempt has been made to compile the various challenges faced by the bio-farmers in United Arab Emirates (UAE) and  has examined the status, issues and prospects in bio- farming, highlighting its potential in the arid  areas.

Bio-farming in UAE: Status, issues, and prospects

248th National Meeting (2014)

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