Drought-resistant Egyptian rice suitable for sandy soil

Gulf Cooperation Council countries - based firms are approaching the Egyptian Energy Authority's stand at Arab - Agri business' 98 with enquiries on the drought-resistant Sahrawi rice that requires half the water needed by ordinary rice.

"Sharawi rice can be planted in sandy soils and sandy loams prevalent in the Arab countries," Dr. Abdul-Latif Abu Hegazi, a professor at the Egyptian Automatic Energy Authority, and creator of the new rice said.

"Ordinary rice is immersed at a depth of 10 cm in the soil and therefore consumes huge quantities of water. Plantation of the new draught-resistant rice results in months of crops like the ordinary rice," Dr. Abu Hegazi, added.

Rice is a main staple of Arab diets and is served alongside many dishes to complement a meal, or form the basis of it.