Farms in Qatar and across the GCC and Middle East can benefit significantly from “conservation agriculture,” according to Sirena Ruggeri, Director of Business Development at MAAG. Speaking with Gulf Times, Ruggeri explained that conservation agriculture—a sustainable farming approach—uses innovative soil management techniques to protect against erosion and degradation.
Ruggeri highlighted that conservation agriculture enhances soil quality, supports biodiversity, and preserves soil fertility, all of which contribute to improved agricultural productivity. Drawing on her experience with desert farming, she noted that MAAG, an agricultural machinery manufacturer based in northern Italy, has promoted conservation agriculture across the GCC for over a decade.
In a recent presentation in Dubai, Ruggeri pointed out the damaging effects of traditional, intensive cultivation methods, which lead to soil degradation by depleting organic matter and causing erosion and compaction. This degradation, she said, reduces soil quality and contributes to global carbon dioxide emissions, undermining agriculture’s role in the food chain.
Since its founding by Ruggeri’s father, MAAG has specialized in equipment for conservation agriculture, promoting techniques that combine efficiency with environmental responsibility. These techniques, she explained, help farmers achieve minimal tillage, stream tillage, and direct seeding, which in turn reduce labor, fuel costs, and environmental impact.
“Minimum tillage,” Ruggeri noted, “is particularly well-suited to desert climates,” requiring only shallow soil work (15-20 cm) without overturning the soil. “The soil’s fertility lies within, so you need to preserve it,” she added. MAAG’s equipment enables soil mixing at depth, maintaining nutrient levels so that seeds receive ample nutrition, supporting healthy growth even in challenging environments.
