The fourth “Fascination of Plants Day 2017” will be launched under the umbrella of the European Plant Science Organisation (EPSO). The goal of this activity is to get as many people as possible around the world fascinated by plants and enthused about the importance of plant science for agriculture, in sustainably producing food, as well as for horticulture, forestry, and all of the non-food products such as paper, timber, chemicals, energy, and pharmaceuticals. The role of plants in environmental conservation will also be a key message….

Since agriculture stands as a major pillar in the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s work in improving the lives of women, children and communities in the developing world, Mr. Gates took part in a roundtable discussion with KAUST faculty on the topic of agriculture research in arid and harsh conditions. The group focused on ideas and opportunities to align KAUST’s research pursuits with the Gates Foundation. Following the discussion, Mr. Gates had the opportunity to visit several KAUST laboratories and observed first-hand the innovative water-efficient and sustainable systems of food production being developed….

“The world’s population stands at 6.5 billion people right now. By the year 2050, we will be 9.5 billion. So we will have a gap of about 3 billion people to feed in the next 35 years,” said Prof. Heribert Hirt, Director of KAUST’s Center for Desert Agriculture. An upcoming international conference at KAUST, titled Desert Rhizosphere Microbes for Future Sustainable Agriculture, to be held on November 3-5, 2014, will focus on examining ways to help plants and crops survive and thrive in extreme environmental conditions…