Abu Dhabi, Jan 20th,2006(WAM)--An agro-invention by two UAE nationals is set to revolutionise the agricultural sector in the country by effectively and fundamentally curbing the ever-growing problem of desertification, it was revealed here today.

The "Alternative Soil" invention by two UAE engineers , Hadi Al Mansouri and KhalidMubarak Saeed is considered as a major break-through in the science agrology.

It is crucial for the agricultural development of the country not only because it will curb desertification but also because it will lead to reclamation of vast barren areas which are now lost to aridity and desertification. The innovation is the first ever of its kind in the world.

"In simple terms, the alternative soil is derived from a technical treatment of tree, plantand household waste by adding substances that enable the soil to enhance its fertilityand keep up to 80 per cent of its irrigation water for as longer period as possible", said Khalid Mubarak Saeed, a co-inventor.

He revealed that the invention was announced after laboratory experiments that achieved excellent results. These results, he added, proved that the alternative soil far out-performedeven the most fertile of soils, including clay soil that is usually found on the Nile Delta.

Asked about the economic feasibility of this invention, Hadi Al Mansouri said:"First of all, this innovation constitutes the most economic and cost-effective method.

It is environment-friendly and viable. It is also easy to produce in the sense that you only need to transfer red soil from Al Ain, for example, to any part of the UAE. All that you needto produce this soil is mixture of paper, wood, plant and agro-wastes, in addition to some chemical substances. A treatment of these elements produces alternative soil".

Al Mansouri told the Abu Dhabi-based "Al Assima Magazine" that the technical features of the alternative soil are that it tends to be solid, a solidity that enhances the fabric of subsoil and thereby prevent sand movement. Lack of sand movement is a key factor in stiffening the soil and therefore curbing desertification, explained Al Mansouri.

He added that preparations are under way to set up a factory to manufacture alternative soil,which is seen as a major scientific breakthrough. The study project for alternative soil began in2001 and experiments were conducted with the help of an expert in the field.

Commenting further on the technical features of alternative soil , Khalid Mubarak Saeedexplained that experiments were conducted in Al Ain and Egypt where various ecologies were involved , including clay and saline environs.

"This pioneering invention could be used to improve various soils, including saline and clay soils. We have reached conclusions that it is only the ecology that determines fertility factors of the soil. When we conducted experiments in high-saline and clay soils, the results were impressive. Even in environments where temperature was 47 degrees, the performance of alternative soil was excellent. If land reclamation was seen in the past as an expensive project, it will now become very easy with this new technology. All that is needed to reclaim a landis to cover it with a layer of alternative soil that has a thickness of just 3 centimeters.

After a period of between 2-6 weeks, an another layer will begin to form as a result of many factors. This new layer will be fertile for agriculture. It will continue to grow as it is nurtured by plants' roots until its thickness reaches 10 centimeters".

Apart from the enormous benefits of land reclamation and desertification stoppage, the invention will enable UAE farmers to lessen if not abandon the use of fertilisers. The successful experiments that have been conducted indicate that the project will boost the industrialsector and revolutionise the agro-sector in Abu Dhabi emirate and the UAE in large. Prospectsfor exporting the product to the region, the Arab world and the world large are also very good.

"This project will really add value in many respects. It will revolutionise the agricultural sector. For instance, there is a plan to exploit 8 per cent of green areasin Dubai emirate by 2012. This is in addition to other plans to expand greenery expanses in Sharjahand northern emirates. Overall, the UAE is committed to massive investments in the agricultural sector, whether in its investments with countries such as Sudan or with other countries of the region. Countries such as Saudi Arabia are investing massively in the agricultural sector with investments now having reached SD 200 billion. So there will always be demand foralternative.", concluded Al Mansouri.