Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) revealed that the highlight of the Authority's participation at the International Water Summit 2013, beginning today, would be its programs and initiatives for the conservation of the emirate's water resources.  The efforts for water conservation, titled 'Our Initiatives for the Conservation of Water,' are aimed at reducing the use of water in farming by 40% by the end of this year.

The first International Water Summit, co-located with World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi during January 15 � 17, 2013, will bring together 30,000 participants from around 150 countries. ADFCA, represented by the Authority's Agricultural Affairs sector, will showcase to the participants the various sustainability initiatives underway in the emirate for optimizing the use of irrigation water through the use of best practices and appropriate technology.

Mohamed Jalal Al Reyaysa, Director of Communication and Community Service at ADFCA, said the Authority would stress through its participation at the summit on the linkages between water security and global food security. "In the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, we are encouraging and facilitating sustainable local agricultural production in way that strikes a fine balance between the commercial, environmental and social objectives of farming. Sustainable use of water resources, use of unconventional sources of water in farming, more efficient irrigation practices and investment in suitable modern farming techniques are the key pillars of our strategy," he explained.

"The stopping of the cultivation of Rhodes grass, a water intensive crop widely used as animal feed, in 10500 farms from a total opf 16000 by the end of 2011 was a major step towards water conservation. ADFCA is also working on streamlining and optimizing the use of irrigation water for date palms, which are the second highest consumer of water after Rhodes, as they consume 34% of irrigation water in the farms," Al Reyaysa concluded.