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Doha
Qatar Railways Company has announced the completion of research on the use of tunnelling soil for agricultural purposes.
The research was conducted in cooperation with Qatar University (QU), represented by the Environmental Science Center (ESC) and the Center for Advanced Materials (CAM). The company had earlier announced the commencement of the research on the use of soil resulting from the tunnelling works carried out on the Doha Metro project for agricultural purposes to find solutions for developing agricultural resources and achieving food self-sufficiency in Qatar in a sustainable manner.
Over the past 12 months, the Environmental Science Center had analysed different soil samples from the rubble resulting from the Doha Metro tunnelling works and conducted laboratory experiments that included soil enhancement in search of opportunities to produce various agricultural crops.
The soil testing results revealed a vast similarity in the mineral and physical composition of the natural soil used in local farms in the country. The research team in charge of the project revealed that the soil can be successfully used in agriculture after mixing it with natural soil conditioners in various ratios. To obtain those results, the team cultivated various plants used as pasturages such as clovers and millets.
Commenting on the ambitious project, Ajlan Eid al Enazi, chief of Strategies and Business Development at Qatar Rail, said: “As a result of the tunneling works conducted on the Doha Metro project, we now have a massive quantity of soil. The research efforts came to fruition as the soil proved usable for agricultural purposes. We are currently working on expanding this study to benefit from its results in reality. Hence, Qatar Rail’s projects have contributed to Qatar’s efforts to achieve sustainability, not only by developing a sustainable means of transport, by providing various other benefits from all aspects of this project.”
Prof Mariam Ali al Maadeed, vice-president of Research and Graduate Studies at QU, stated: “Thanks to the distinctive research capabilities of Qatar University and its accredited technologies, we were able to find use for the tunnelling soil, and we hope to see the tangible results of this research in reality.”
Sheikh Dr Faleh bin Nasser al Thani, assistant undersecretary of Agricultural Affairs and Fisheries at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, said: “In light of the results of the soil testing, we look forward to working closely with both Qatar Rail and Qatar University to establish a committee dedicated to the project and discuss the means of implementation, the allocation of lands and mass production. All of this is to contribute to building the capabilities of the local production of agricultural crops.”
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26/03/2019
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