Silal and Bayer have reinforced their commitment to agricultural innovation in the UAE with the signing of a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit in Dubai. This collaboration builds upon their partnership formed in December 2023 and aims to advance agricultural practices in desert environments while addressing climate change challenges. The MoU outlines an ambitious program running through 2028, focusing on four key initiatives.
At the heart of the collaboration is the development of digital farming solutions tailored to the region’s unique agricultural needs. One of the major elements of the partnership will be the establishment of a ForwardFarming demonstration site at Silal Innovation Oasis, where sustainable desert farming practices will be showcased. The demonstration will highlight the potential for technology-driven solutions to support sustainable agriculture in arid conditions.
Another important aspect of the MoU is the scaling of agricultural capacity building through Bayer’s BayG.A.P. program. This initiative will focus on regenerative agriculture practices, which are well-suited to the UAE’s dry climate. The program will incorporate digital monitoring and verification systems to ensure that sustainable practices are effectively adopted by local farmers.
In addition, the partnership will extend vegetable seed trials aimed at identifying crops that are better suited to the UAE’s local growing conditions. These trials will also address market demands, further improving the sustainability and efficiency of food production in the region.
Mr. Salmeen Al Ameri, CEO of Silal, expressed his enthusiasm for the expanded collaboration: “This MoU marks a significant advancement in our partnership with Bayer. By combining our local expertise with Bayer’s global technological capabilities, we are creating a framework for sustainable agricultural innovation that will benefit UAE farmers and reinforce our commitment to local food production.”
Hugo Hagen, Senior Bayer Representative – Middle East, added: “The signing of this MoU represents a major step forward in our partnership with Silal. This detailed framework allows us to combine Bayer’s global expertise in sustainable agriculture with Silal’s understanding of local agricultural challenges, advancing our mission of ‘Health for all, Hunger for none,’ while addressing critical climate challenges.”
Dr. Shamal Mohammed, Head of AgriTech at Silal, highlighted the significance of the initiatives: “The establishment of the ForwardFarming model and seed development at our Innovation Oasis will create a powerful platform for demonstrating sustainable desert farming practices. This collaboration will enhance our ability to drive agricultural innovation in the UAE.”
Sami Joost, Head of Communications, Public Affairs & Open Innovation – Middle East at Bayer, commented: “This expanded partnership exemplifies Bayer’s commitment to open innovation in agriculture. By combining our R&D capabilities with Silal’s local agricultural expertise, we are well-positioned to develop solutions for the unique challenges of desert farming.”
The collaboration between Silal and Bayer represents a crucial step in advancing agricultural sustainability in the UAE. Through this expanded partnership, both organizations aim to contribute to the UAE’s National Food Security goals while developing solutions that could benefit arid regions worldwide.
