From research to action: WFF Qatar Youth Chapter brings sustainable soil innovation to young learners

The World Food Forum (WFF) Qatar Youth Chapter is connecting young learners with research into some of Qatar’s agricultural challenges through a hands-on educational initiative at the Japan School of Doha. 
On 27 September 2026, Chapter members from the University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) returned to the Japan School of Doha for a second visit. During the session, they introduced students to an innovative multifunctional hydrogel developed as part of a research project supported by UDST and the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation Council (QRDI).

In a country facing high temperatures, limited freshwater resources and challenging soil conditions, innovative approaches to soil management can support more sustainable agricultural practices and food security.

Moving beyond theoretical learning, the initiative gave students the opportunity to explore the science behind hydrogel technology and its potential agricultural applications. Through interactive demonstrations, students learned how the material is formed and how the research project is examining its capacity to retain moisture, capture certain heavy metals and release nutrients into the soil. They then applied the hydrogel themselves in the school's planting area, gaining practical experience with its use in sustainable soil management.

The activity formed part of a wider research initiative, "Save the Soil and Protect Date Farms in Qatar Using a Novel Multifunctional Hydrogel”, led by UDST in collaboration with research and industry partners. The session also brought together representatives of UDST and QRDI, reflecting the collaboration among educational institutions, researchers and youth-led networks supporting the initiative. The initiative extends beyond a single educational visit. The Chapter plans to install five environmental sensors to monitor soil moisture, temperature, humidity, pH and wind conditions. This monitoring will support a longer-term comparison of plants grown using conventional watering and plants treated with the hydrogel. The monitoring process is intended to provide students and researchers with practical evidence of how the material performs under the country’s climatic conditions.

The project also aims to present its findings with the Japan School of Doha at GREEN×EXPO 2027 in Yokohama, Japan. This would provide an opportunity to share the research and the experience of engaging youth learners with an international audience.

Through this initiative, the Chapter is bringing together research, education and practical learning, while introducing students to approaches that could support more resilient and sustainable agrifood systems.