Recent orders
Agriculture in the United Arab Emirates
Agriculture in the UAE Past and Present
Name
Affiliation
Table of Contents
TOC o “1-3” h z u HYPERLINK l “_Toc415311404” Agriculture in the United Arab Emirates PAGEREF _Toc415311404 h 1
HYPERLINK l “_Toc415311405” Agricultural Imports and Exports of UAE PAGEREF _Toc415311405 h 4
HYPERLINK l “_Toc415311406” Imports PAGEREF _Toc415311406 h 4
HYPERLINK l “_Toc415311407” Al Dahra, United Arab Emirates PAGEREF _Toc415311407 h 4
HYPERLINK l “_Toc415311408” Al Dahra Al Ain Branch PAGEREF _Toc415311408 h 5
HYPERLINK l “_Toc415311409” Al Dahra UAE Farms: PAGEREF _Toc415311409 h 5
HYPERLINK l “_Toc415311410” Al Dahra Dairy and Animal Production PAGEREF _Toc415311410 h 6
HYPERLINK l “_Toc415311411” Al Dahra Trading Forage PAGEREF _Toc415311411 h 6
HYPERLINK l “_Toc415311412” Agriculture and fishing PAGEREF _Toc415311412 h 7
HYPERLINK l “_Toc415311413” References PAGEREF _Toc415311413 h 8
Agriculture in the United Arab EmiratesMost of the UAE’s cultivated land is taken up by HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Date_palm” o “Date palm” date palms, which in the early 1990s numbered about 4 million. They are cultivated in the arc of small HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oases” o “Oases” oases that constitute the HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Liwa_Oasis” o “Al Liwa Oasis” Al Liwa Oasis. Both HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_the_United_Arab_Emirates” o “Politics of the United Arab Emirates” federal and HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emirate” o “Emirate” emirate governments provide incentives to farmers. For example, the government offers a 50 percent subsidy on HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer” o “Fertilizer” fertilizers, seeds, and HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pesticide” o “Pesticide” pesticides. It also provides loans for HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agricultural_machinery” o “Agricultural machinery” machinery and technical assistance (Al-Deeb & Enan, 2010). The emirates have forty-one agricultural extension units as well as several HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Experimental_farm” o “Experimental farm” experimental farms and HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agricultural_experiment_station” o “Agricultural experiment station” agricultural research stations. The number of farmers rose from about 4,000 in the early 1970s to 18,265 in 1988.
Lack of HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arable_land” o “Arable land” arable land, intense heat, periodic HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locust_swarm” o “Locust swarm” locust swarms, and limited HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_supplies” o “Water supplies” water supplies are the main obstacles to agriculture. The drive to increase the area under cultivation has resulted in the rapid depletion of HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underground_aquifer” o “Underground aquifer” underground aquifers, resulting in precipitous drops in HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_table” o “Water table” water tables and serious increases in HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil_salinity” o “Soil salinity” soil and HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_salinity” o “Water salinity” water salinity in some areas. As a result, several farms have been forced to cease production. Despite the creation in 1983 of a federal authority to control drilling for water, development pressures in the 1980s and 1990s increased the exploitation of underground water supplies.
Between 1979 and 1985, HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agricultural_production” o “Agricultural production” agricultural production increased sixfold. Nevertheless, the UAE imported about 70 percent of its food requirements in the early 1990s. The major vegetable crops, supplying nearly all the country’s needs during the season, are HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomato” o “Tomato” tomatoes, HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabbage” o “Cabbage” cabbage, HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eggplant” o “Eggplant” eggplant, HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squash_%28plant%29” o “Squash (plant)” squash, and HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cauliflower” o “Cauliflower” cauliflower. HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ras_al-Khaimah” o “Ras al-Khaimah” Ras al-Khaimah produces most of the country’s vegetables. In addition to dates, the major fruit crops are HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citrus” o “Citrus” citrus and HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mango” o “Mango” mangoes. A HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegetable_canning” o “Vegetable canning” vegetable canning facility in HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Ain” o “Al Ain” Al Ain has a processing capacity of 120 tons per day.
HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poultry_farm” o “Poultry farm” Poultry farms provided 70 percent of local requirements for eggs and 45 percent of HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poultry_meat” o “Poultry meat” poultry meat needed in 1989. Local dairies produced more than 73,000 tons of milk in 1991, meeting 92 percent of domestic demand.
Considerable revenues have been devoted to HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forestation” o “Forestation” forestation, HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_landscaping” o “Public landscaping” public landscaping, and parks. Trees and shrubs are distributed free to schools, government offices, and residents. HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afforestation” o “Afforestation” Afforestation companies receive contracts to plant plots in the range of 200 to 300 hectares. The goals are to improve the appearance of public places as well as to prevent the HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desertification” o “Desertification” desertification process in vulnerable agricultural areas.
Lying in the heart of the world’s arid zone, the UAE has little rainfall and one would expect it to be a barren place. Barren places there certainly are, but the process of desertification has very largely been arrested in the country. It is now possible to see forests, fields of grass and wheat where once there were only desert sands and winds. The UAE has a long tradition of agriculture in its oases where crops have been grown for 5000 years. Underground water was chandelled to palm groves and small fields and the technique is still used today.
Since the formation of the UAE in 1971, this small scale traditional farming has been complemented by investment that has seen thousands of hectares being cultivated. In the past 25 years, the country’s population has increased ten-fold and agricultural production has kept pace with this growth. The country is self-sufficient in salad crops and poultry for much of the year and even exports crops to markets in Europe.
Most of the UAE’s agricultural production comes from four areas: from in and around Al Ain, from a narrow but fertile strip along the east coast, from the oasis of Dhaid east of Sharjah and from the gravel plains in Ras al Khaimah. According to figures from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, agricultural production stands at over Dh 2 billion per year. An average crop season yields over 600,000 tons of crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers, aubergines, lettuce, cabbage and animal feed. Studies have shown that much of the country’s soil can be cultivated provided there is water and as a result, there has been an extensive programme to drill water wells. The government will prepare land for local farmers which they are then given free along with seeds, machinery and advice on pest control.
There is also government-funded research on different crops to see how they adapt to the local climate. In an attempt to conserve and use as much water as possible in as many ways as possible, the government has embarked on a three-part programme designed to make the most advantageous use of this scarce resource. First, farmers are given advice on how to reduce their consumption of water, mainly through trickle irrigation. Desalinated water as well as recycled and purified sewage effluent is used. Second, with the help of the United States Geological Survey, the government is searching for new aquifers and monitoring current rates of extraction. Third and last, to prevent the waste of valuable rainwater, retention dams have been constructed in many areas.
These store the water until it can be used for irrigation. Tens of millions of gallons of rainwater are being retained by the dams already built throughout the Emirates. In the long run, of course, it is realized that desalinated water will provide the bulk of agricultural water. There is more to agriculture than simply growing crops. One area that has seen dramatic growth is the keeping of poultry for meat and eggs. The same is true of dairy products. Herds of imported cattle have adapted to the climate and are now producing milk, cheese and yogurt for the local market. The presence of trees and gardens in the UAE is always noticed and commented upon by visitors. Over 10 million trees have been planted plus more than 18 million palm trees. In all the cities and towns of the UAE, there have been beautification campaigns with the creation of parks and gardens for the local people.
Any householder, even those in flats, can get free plants from the Municipality under a programme that distributes thousands of plants annually. Besides the greening of the cities and towns there has also been a massive programme in the desert and it is here that most of the trees have been planted. Flying over the desert, one now sees great patches of green where formerly there was only sand. All kinds of arid region plants, both local and imported, have been planted and as they grow to maturity, their roots reach down to the natural water supply. When this happens, they will be able to survive with little care and attention. The face of the land and the environment too have been changed. Wildlife flourishes as do native plants and animals. The UAE was never purely and simply a desert. Today it has become a place where greenery can be seen in both urban and rural areas. Twenty years of dedicated commitment have made the point that the process of desertification is reversible. And given time and money, that is exactly what has happened and is continuing to happen.
The agriculture in UAE is reserved to dates, vegetables, fish, eggs and dairy products (Ministry of Foreign trade, 2011). Tunnel farming is the way forward to agriculture in UAE, more and more people are learning the techniques involved in tunnel farming. For a country like UAE which is a desert the land available for farming is limited, and the water resources are also limited, therefore using the latest technologies in farming plays a vital role in controlling the supply and demand of agricultural products in UAE.
Water plays an important role in increasing or decreasing the supply of local agricultural products in UAE. One of the studies revealed that the consumption of water in UAE on individual basis is one of the highest in the world (Gornall & Tordorova, 2009). For a country with already a very low export of agricultural products and local production, high water consumption makes it even more complex to cater for shortages of agricultural products in UAE.
The Government in UAE is involved in discovering new ways to increase the land available for cultivation by using desert reclamation initiatives (Salama, 2008). The government has a history of investing in tree planting schemes and irrigation systems to increase the total agricultural production of UAE. The planting schemes involve planting trees which help crops to survive wind and also stop soil erosion, the schemes also involve initiatives to plant shrubs and date palms. According to figures released by Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, UAE is producing 600,000 tonnes of crops approximately which include, cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, aubergines, cabbages and feed for livestock (Al-Mulla, 2011). The Government of UAE is rapidly increasing the land available for cultivation by converting desert into cultivated land one of the example is the 40,500 hectares of land available for cultivation along the Liwa Oasis, which has been converted from dessert into cultivatable land, in UAE there are more than 6,000 greenhouses and 22,700 farms.
UAE is also committed to invest in agriculture overseas on islands and other parts of the world, because 85 per cent of the agricultural products in UAE are imported which include wheat, rice and corn. This is a major threat faced by a country set to become the business hub of the world with an increasing population, therefore the supply and demand forces play a major role in agriculture in UAE. Another strategy followed by UAE to tackle food shortages is to create food storage facilities where large quantities of agricultural products could be stored for longer time periods.
Agricultural Imports and Exports of UAEUAE is the largest importer of agricultural products in the region and the imports of agricultural product in UAE will increase this year following the drought in the major exporters of agricultural products in the world which are Russia and Ukraine. Consequently rapidly changing the demand and supply of agricultural products in UAE and presents a major challenge for the Government to deal with supply and demand forces in Agricultural products.
The global food crisis has reached alarming situation posing a major threat to economies with increasing population and consumption of agricultural products. Also the major suppliers of world agricultural products will experience a reduction in their yield of agricultural products this year due to draughts in different parts of the world.
ImportsUAE is the largest importer of agricultural products in the Gulf, the consumers of UAE have the highest consumption when it comes to consuming water and other agricultural products. Due to limited resources for agricultural activities the country has to heavily rely on agricultural imports from all over the world. UAE is also used as a re-export hub of the world many suppliers buy their products from underdeveloped or developing countries of the world with trade restrictions and then bring the products to UAE enabling them to ship the products anywhere in world, the geographic location of UAE makes it attractive for suppliers from all over the world for re-exports (Ashraf, Q̈ztürk & Ahmad, 2010).
Al Dahra, United Arab Emirates
In 1995, Al Dahra began its humble operations in Al Ain. Over the years, the company has achieved tremendous growth and expansion in business activities. This resulted in the shifting of its headquarters to Abu Dhabi; which controls all regional and world-wide offices.The strategic partnership with Abu Dhabi Municipality has helped Al Dahra to provide the region with high quality produce, based on an efficient supply chain system. This partnership is based on a mutually beneficial association in terms of innovation, flexibility and the united vision of both entities. Al Dahra UAE operates state-of-the-art farms whose activities include: Farm production, Dairy & Animal production and trading in Forage (Assi, Al-Shamisi & Jama, 2010).
Al Dahra Al Ain Branch
In its expansive, lush green farms in Alain, Al Dahra produces the best variety of fruits and vegetables for the UAE market. This has helped to achieve a Market Dominance complemented by the drive towards perfection. Notable factors are
14 farms produce fruits, vegetables, dates
Ecologically compliant Green houses spread over 2000 acres of land
Al Dahra UAE Farms:
Bearing in mind, the commitment towards a healthier society, Al Dahra farms offer the finest products which are fresh and organically produced. A few of them, from our hamper are
Fruits : Apples, strawberries, sweet melons, watermelons, mangos, olives, dates
Vegetables: All kinds of lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, capsicum, zucchini, eggplant, broccoli, cabbage and different kinds of herbs
Fertilizers
Al Dahra Dairy and Animal Production
The initial operation of the company was the importing and distribution of high quality hay as cattle feed for the local market requirements. By broadening our horizon to include both large and small scale sectors of the market; Al Dahra has proved its competency and managerial skills at all levels. Achievements in Dairy and Animal production:
3,300 milk producing cows
3,500 sheep
Main Supplier of Dairy products to Dairy companies in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain
Production plants of Milk & Organic Cheeses
Al Dahra Trading Forage
As a company, we may have reached new pinnacles of success but we strive to remain rooted to our initial business operative of importing high quality forage. We have maintained the highest standards for all imports of feed, sourcing it from credible and viable companies across the globe. One of the largest operations in the UAE for importing and distribution of Forage, Al Dahra is proud to obtain 25% of the UAE market share. Only about 81,000 hectares (200,000 acres) of land are cultivated. About 24% of cultivated land is used to grow vegetables, 30% fruit, 10% feed crops, and 36% for other uses. The most productive region is Ra’s al-Khaimah, which receives HYPERLINK “http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/knowledge/Groundwater.html” o “View ‘underground water’ definition from Wikipedia” underground water supplies from the nearby mountains of HYPERLINK “http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/knowledge/Oman.html” o “View ‘oman’ definition from Wikipedia” Oman and which enjoys the most plentiful rainfall. The main crops are tomatoes, melons, and dates.
The Digdagga Agricultural Trials Station in Ra’s al-Khaimah is central to all HYPERLINK “http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/knowledge/Agricultural_science.html” o “View ‘agricultural research’ definition from Wikipedia” agricultural research and training efforts in the UAE. HYPERLINK “http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/knowledge/Abu_Dhabi.html” o “View ‘abu dhabi’ definition from Wikipedia” Abu Dhabi has two large wheat farms at Al ‘Ayn, and experimental farms at Rawaya and Mazaid (near Al ‘Ayn) are designed to encourage local Bedouins to take up settled farming. The Abu Dhabi Arid Land Research Center on Sadiyat Island produces vegetables through special irrigation and HYPERLINK “http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/knowledge/Hydroponics.html” o “View ‘hydroponic’ definition from Wikipedia” hydroponic techniques. In 1999, UAE agriculture produced 1,055,000 tons of vegetables and melons, and 358,000 tons of fruit. Produce includes citrus, mangos, tomatoes, celery, potatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, melons, peppers, and fodder crops.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries reported a 48% increase in vegetable production between 1992 and 1995. Dates, traditionally grown on oases by nomads, are becoming less important because of vegetable and fruit production. In 1999, the UAE produced 295,000 tons of dates. The UAE currently satisfies about 60% of its domestic fruit and vegetable demand; bans on imports of certain vegetables and government incentives and subsidies are used to encourage domestic production. Roses and chrysanthemums are grown for export to Europe.
Agriculture and fishingAgricultural production—centred largely in the emirates of Raʾs al-Khaymah and Al-Fujayrah, in the two exclaves of ʿAjmān, and at Al-ʿAyn—has expanded considerably through the increased use of wells and pumps to provide water for irrigation. However, agriculture contributes only a small fraction of gross domestic product (GDP) and employs less than one-tenth of the workforce. Dates are a major crop, as are HYPERLINK “http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/598843/tomato” tomatoes, HYPERLINK “http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/145850/cucumber” cucumbers, and HYPERLINK “http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/180255/eggplant” eggplants, and the United Arab Emirates is nearly self-sufficient in HYPERLINK “http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/221056/fruit” fruit and HYPERLINK “http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/624564/vegetable” vegetable production. The country also produces enough eggs, HYPERLINK “http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/472991/poultry” poultry, HYPERLINK “http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/208456/fish” fish, and HYPERLINK “http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/149947/dairy-product” dairy products to meet its own needs but must import most other foodstuffs, notably grains. The HYPERLINK “http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/34232/Arid-Lands-Research-Centre” Arid Lands Research Centre at Al-ʿAyn experiments with raising crops in a HYPERLINK “http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/158992/desert” desert HYPERLINK “http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/189127/environment” environment. Most HYPERLINK “http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/127892/commercial-fishing” commercial fishing is concentrated in HYPERLINK “http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/613889/Umm-al-Qaywayn” Umm al-Qaywayn, and the emirates have one of the largest fishing sectors in the Arab world.
ReferencesAl-Deeb, M. A., & Enan, M. R. (2010). First record of a phoretic astigmatid mite (Sancassania sp.; Acaridae: Astigmata) on Oryctes agamemnon (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in UAE. Int. J. Agric. Biol., 12, 157-160.
Al-Mulla, M. (2011, November). UAE State of the Water Report. In 2nd Arab Water Forum (pp. 20-23).
Ashraf, M., Q̈ztürk, M. A., & Ahmad, M. S. A. (2010). Plant adaptation and phytoremediation. Dordrecht: Springer.
Assi, A., Al-Shamisi, M., & Jama, M. (2010, May). Prediction of monthly average daily global solar radiation in Al Ain City–UAE using artificial neural networks. In Proceedings of the 25th European photovoltaic solar energy conference (pp. 508-512).
Bailis, R., & Yu, E. (2012). Environmental and social implications of integrated seawater agriculture systems producing Salicornia bigelovii for biofuel.Biofuels, 3(5), 555-574.
Shahin, S. M., & Salem, M. A. (2014). The cost of landscaping beauty in the United Arab Emirates (UAE): Call for quick actions to save the irrigation resources. Proceedings of ICMTSET.
Agricultural Benefits of Genetically Modified Insects
Agricultural Benefits of Genetically Modified Insects
Name
Institution
Agricultural Benefits of Genetically Modified Insects
Genetically modified insects are engineered through injection of desired genes into the natural insect eggs (Beard et al., 2004). The modified genes are referred to as transgenes, which are inserted using short DNA sequences. The resultant insects are transgenic with a complex assortment of transgenes (Beech, Koukidou, Morrison, & Alphey, 2012). There are several transgenic insects derived through genetic engineering with a variety of transgenes such as marker genes, refractory genes, and lethal genes. Marker genes create fluorescent insects that scientists use for differentiation of the modified and unmodified species. Refractory genes make the insect unable to transmit diseases while lethal genes render the insect unproductive or kill it. Transgenic insects have various benefits including health, environmental, and agricultural. This paper focuses on the agricultural benefits, which include pest control, as opposed to the use of chemical pesticides, and enhancement of agricultural productivity (Gill, 2013).
Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) have been significant methods used by scientists to create transgenic insects that reduce the need for pesticide use (Daily Mail, 2013). GM insects are also used as biological control agents to control pests and boost agricultural output. Using living organisms for weed and pest control eradicates the use of pesticides in crop production (GeneWatch, 2012). This has led to the safe and sustainable production of food and crops sans the use of pesticides, and minimized pesticide residues in plants. Medflies are destructive insects that cause high losses in the agricultural sector (Gilbert & Gill, 2010). The application of SIT to produce sterile males has significantly reduced the impact of the insect on crops. The olive fruit fly is also a deadly insect that causes severe damage to olives in California and the Mediterranean region (Gucciardi, 2013). Scientists have genetically engineered the fruit flies through the SIT to produce sterile males. The release of the sterile male into the wild results to the death of female offspring at the larval stage, which significantly suppresses the population of the olive fruit fly (Knols & Scott, 2003). In turn, olive trees produce fruits sans the need for chemical sprays since the reproduction of the destructive fly has been suppressed. This is an integrated pest management that aims at reducing the number of pests causing crop damage, as opposed to the use of pesticides ( HYPERLINK “http://people.oregonstate.edu/~muirp/instruct.htm” Muir, 2014).
Honeybees have also been engineered to enhance their resistance to pests and diseases (Pimentel, 2001). This has led to the increased population of the bees, which previously succumbed to predation and diseases. Honey is an essential agricultural product with numerous health and economic benefits; thus, it is important to safeguard the population of the honeybees. Other transgenic insects include silkworms, mosquitoes, and kissing bugs that have been modified for economic benefits and improve public health (Richards, 2013). Silkworms have been engineered to synthesize industrial proteins and pharmaceuticals that serve various purposes (Walia, 2013). The proteins are used to manufacture parachutes, bulletproof vests, and synthetic ligaments. Genetically engineered mosquitoes are unable to transmit malaria, an aspect that benefits the public by reducing malaria cases. GM kissing bugs are also incapable of transmitting dengue, saving millions of people succumbing to the disease each year (Romeis, Shelton, & Kennedy, 2008).
Genetically modified insects have several uses such as weed and pest control agents without the use of chemical pesticides. Pesticides have adverse effects on the human health, crops, and the environment a large (Wentworth, 2010). They jeopardize the health of many people when they get in contact with them, cause severe environmental damages, and kill beneficial insects such as bees. Besides pest management, transgenic insects also have other beneficial uses such as disease prevention and increasing agricultural productivity. Therefore, the use of transgenic insects is better than other pest control methods such as vectors and pesticides (Winston & Edelbach, 2011).
References
Beard, C. B., Celeste, L., Bundy, T., Giddings, V., Jenkins, P., Matheson, J., Milewski, E., Miller, T., O’Brochta, D., & Rose, B. (2004). Bugs in the system?: Issues in the science and regulation of genetically modified insects. Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology. Retrieved on 15 March 2014 from http://www.pewtrusts.org/uploadedFiles/wwwpewtrustsorg/Reports/Food_and_Biotechnology/pifb_bugs_012204.pdf
Beech, C. J, Koukidou, M. Morrison, N. I. & Alphey, L. (2012). Genetically modified insects: Science, use, status and regulation. International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology. Retrieved on 15 March 2014 from http://www.icgeb.org/~bsafesrv/pdffiles/Col6_Beech.pdf
Daily Mail. (2013). Frankenflies to battle pests: Scientists plan to launch thousands of GM insects into fields as alternative to using chemicals. Retrieved on 15 March 2014 from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2410484/Scientists-launch-thousands-GM-insects-fields-alternative-chemicals.html
GeneWatch. (2012). Genetically-modified insects: under whose control? Retrieved on 15 March 2014 from http://www.genewatch.org/uploads/f03c6d66a9b354535738483c1c3d49e4/Regnbrief_fin2.pdf
Gilbert, L. I. & Gill, S. S. (2010). Insect control: Biological and synthetic agents. Waltham, MA: Academic Press.
Gill, V. (2013). Decision awaited on genetically modified insect trial. BBC News. Retrieved on 15 March 2014 from http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-24958488
Gucciardi, A. (2013). Thousands of genetically modified insects set for release. Infowars. Retrieved on 15 March 2014 from http://www.infowars.com/thousands-of-genetically-modified-insects-set-for-released/
Knols, B. & Scott, T.W. (2003). Discussion-Ecological challenges concerning the use of genetically modified mosquitoes for disease control: synthesis and future perspectives. In Takken, W. & Scott, T.W. (Eds.), Ecological Aspects for Application of Genetically Modified Mosquitoes (pp. 235-238). New York, NY: Springer.
HYPERLINK “http://people.oregonstate.edu/~muirp/instruct.htm” Muir, P. (2014). Genetic pest controls. Oregon State University. Retrieved on 15 March 2014 from http://people.oregonstate.edu/~muirp/genecont.htm
Pimentel, D. (2001). Overview of the use of genetically modified organisms and pesticides in agriculture. Indiana Journal of Global Legal Studies. 9(1), 51-63. Retrieved on 15 March 2014 from http://www.repository.law.indiana.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1227&context=ijgls
Richards, S. (2013). Will GM insects help stop disease? The Scientist. Retrieved on 15 March 2014 from http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/34005/title/Will-GM-Insects-Help-Stop-Disease-/
Romeis, J., Shelton, A. M., Kennedy, G. G. (2008). Integration of insect-resistant genetically modified crops within IPM programs. New York, NY: Springer
Walia, A. (2013). Thousands of genetically modified insects are set for release. Collective Evolution. Retrieved on 15 March 2014 from http://www.collective-evolution.com/2013/09/10/thousands-of-genetically-modified-insects-are-set-for-release/
Wentworth, J. (2010). Genetically modified insects. Post Note. Retrieved on 15 March 2014 from http://www.inasp.info/uploads/filer_public/2013/04/03/3_handout_1.pdf
Winston, M. & Edelbach, R. (2011). Society, ethics, and technology. Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning.
Evaluation creterion ov leaqrning institution
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Evaluation
Learning institutions are the sources of light to the modern society, considering that knowledge is light, and therefore power. It is therefore very important for an individual to critically consider and evaluate the nature, type, standard, level etc, of the learning institution he or she is about to attend. Through evaluation process, it is easy and encouraging to stamp a comprehensive and convictive background about the institution. The institution of evaluation in this case is Texas Christian University (TCU). As a Christian University, it has a strong affiliation with Christian discipleship, a fact which is highly encouraging based on the ethically moral standards to be observed by the institution. This paper undertakes a step by step evaluation process of the Texas Christian University using certain criterion, explaining the factors making the institution to be favorably the best university among the best in the world.
Evaluation Criteria
Tuition Cost
Although the dream of an individual is to attend the ‘University of Choice’, one of the restraining factors considering the university is the cost of tuition. Tuition cost is a dependent variable when it comes to institutions of higher learning since there is no standard cost for all. Texas Christian University offer favorable costs of tuition at $34,500 to all residents on annual terms (Swaim 56-7). Despite being high, it is however relatively lower compared to the tuition costs of other major (national) universities in the United States.
Financial Aid Received
This criterion analyses institutions based on the financial aids available to students, and particularly the vulnerable group of students. Based on the Christian values and objects, TCU has been on the forefront in terms of its offers of financial aids to the students who may not be able to raise a part of the tuition and overall costs. The financial aid offered by the institution to the students range from grants to loans. 66% of the students receive grant aid from the institution totaling to $16,028 per student on annual terms. 16% of the students receive Pell grant, averaging $4,153 per student annually. More than that, 36% of the students of the institution receive Federal Student Loan, averaging to a total of $7,122 per student on annual terms (Rus 78). Under these circumstances, the financial aids are available based on certain qualifications and runs all through to completion of the program duration.
Living Aspects: Dorm Availability and Cost
According to Hall (66), the gender distribution of the institution in the 2013/2014 academic year is fair at 40.5% male and 59.5 female students. Out of the total number of students, 47% live in college-owned and operated housing while 53% of the students live off campus. This percentage is fair considering other institutions of the same standards. Being the biggest religious university, TCU have a regulation that binds all the freshmen and sophomores to live on campus, unless they are older than 21 or can commute from parent’s home. This means that availability of dorms (hostels) is not a problem for the freshmen and sophomores. The cost of the dormitories is charged at $7,650 on annual terms per student which is relatively cheaper compared to other universities, for instance Duke University which charges $10,650 annually per student (Swaim 88). One of the elementary factors to consider in evaluating an institution of higher learning is the availability of living rooms (hostels), thus, TCU is among the best universities in the world which available space for everyone at reduced costs. Texas Christian University also has campus safety services (24 hour footed and vehicle patrols) with 24 hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways among many other security measures making the university a personal choice and preference (Rus 67).
Reputation
Texas Christian University is ranked among the best universities in the world that offer numerous programs at different levels. The foundation of the University is based in Christian morals and values, and thus being open for students of any faith. It offers a semester based academic calendar and is ranked at position 82 among the national universities (www.greeks.tcu.edu). Founded in 1873, the institution has a marked standard of intellectual home and very reputable in manufacturing professionals in various fields of specialization. More than that, the institution is well reputable in sporting activities, rangi9ng from athletics, football, and other games.
Courses (My Major)
The pursuit of good programs is in most cases one of the major dilemma to many students. Texas Christian University offers various degree programmes, in the major fields, like Management, Economics, Marketing, and related services, health professions and related programs, social sciences and education. The student –faculty ratio according to Swaim (34) is 13:1 and the school has 41% its classes with fewer than 20 students. More importantly, the academic life, and therefore the average freshman retention rate which measures student satisfaction is 87%.
Conclusion
According to the matching criteria; tuition cost, financial aid, courses, reputation, living aspects, and the university standards, Texas Christian University stand out to be an institution of excellence, self actualization, moral and ethical advancements, and a university of choice. The evaluation criteria used above explains the reason for the adoption of the University as the best.
Works Cited
Hall, Colby D. History of Texas Christian University, a College of the Cattle Frontier. Ft. Worth: Texas Christian Univ. Pr., 2007. HYPERLINK “http://www.greeks.tcu.edu/” http://www.greeks.tcu.edu
Rus, Ginés . Introduction to Cost-Benefit Analysis: Looking for Reasonable Shortcuts. Cheltenham, Glos, UK: Edward Elgar, $c c2010, 2010. Print.
Swaim, J. Walking TCU. Fort Worth: Texas Christian University Press, 2012.