* Encyclopedia an initiative of Gord and MME
 
The Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (Gord) launched the 'Encyclopedia of Native & Non-Native Plants in Eastern Arabia', in collaboration with the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) – represented by the Public Parks Department, at the eighth Qatar International Agricultural Exhibition (AgriteQ).
It took seven years of research to prepare the "first-of-its-kind" encyclopedia, Qatar News Agency reported Saturday. Along with the exploration of hundreds of specialised scientific publications, field research was conducted by a group of experts at Gord. The encyclopedia comprises six volumes covering approximately 2,500 pages, thus 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 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 organisations 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.”
Mohamed Ali al-Khoury, director of the MME's Public Parks Department, said: “The 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 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.