DOHA: Coinciding with the celebration of Arab Environment Day, Hamad Sakit Al Shammari, Director of the Agricultural Research Department, highlighted the leading role of the Qatar Gene Bank—affiliated with the Agricultural Research Department at the Ministry of Municipality—in preserving and safeguarding Qatar’s plant genetic resources.
The bank currently stores more than 11,366,834 seeds, representing about 75% of local plant species, including trees, shrubs, and both annual and perennial herbs, as part of a comprehensive national strategy that supports Qatar National Vision 2030.
He explained that the Gene Bank is a pioneering scientific institution in the region, combining fieldwork, research, and academic documentation.
Specialised research teams conduct hundreds of exploratory missions annually to document plant species and preserve them under optimal conditions to ensure their viability for decades.
Hassan Al Asmakh, Assistant Director of the Agricultural Research Department, added that the bank supports successful strategic projects such as cultivating Salicornia using water from desalination plants, in addition to its role in rehabilitating degraded areas and conserving local species.
Aisha Dasmal Al Kuwari, Head of the Biotechnology and Gene Bank Section, affirmed that the bank operates within an integrated institutional framework to conduct specialised applied research.
This includes the use of DNA fingerprinting and advanced biotechnological methods to identify and classify native plants, as well as develop drought- and salinity-resistant varieties, thereby contributing to strengthening food security.
This achievement reflects Qatar’s commitment to protecting its natural heritage, conserving biodiversity, and enhancing the role of scientific research in supporting national environmental and food policies, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and Qatar National Vision 2030.
