His Excellency Rashed Mohamed Al Shariqi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) and Dr Ismahane Elouafi, Director General of the International Centre for Bio-saline Agriculture today launched the book "Salt�tolerant Plants in the UAE."

The launch of the book was part of ADFCA's participation at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair currently held in ADNEC.

The book is about UAE plants that are tolerant of salinity and the extent of their tolerance. It also details the places these plants grow and the uses they are put to such as for animal feed, herbal medicine or decoration. These plants are congenial for the country's arid climate, water scarcity and heat. The book also elaborates on the morphological aspects of the plants, their blooming season, their fruits and their height so they could be easily distinguished from other plants.

Saeed Jasim, Acting Director of Communication and Community Service at ADFCA, said the book, prepared under the patronage of ADFCA, stressed the importance of preserving those plants that are compatible with the climatic conditions of the country. He expressed appreciation for the research that the International Centre for Saline Agriculture was undertaking on subjects such as the challenges facing agriculture in different climatic conditions, climate change and farming and productivity of crops and their diversification.