Silal and Bayer have taken a significant step forward in advancing agricultural innovation in the UAE, signing a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit in Dubai. Building on their partnership established in December 2023, this ambitious agreement sets a collaborative roadmap through 2028, addressing climate change and advancing sustainable farming practices in desert environments.
The MoU focuses on four transformative initiatives, including the development of digital farming solutions tailored to the UAE’s unique agricultural challenges. A key highlight is the establishment of a Forward Farming demonstration site at the Silal Innovation Oasis, designed to showcase sustainable desert farming techniques.
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The collaboration also extends Bayer’s BayG.A.P. program, emphasizing capacity building in regenerative agriculture practices suitable for arid climates. New innovations include the deployment of digital monitoring platforms to track and verify the adoption of sustainable farming methods.
Additionally, the partnership features comprehensive trials of vegetable seeds to identify crops optimized for the UAE’s growing conditions and market needs.
Voices of Leadership
Salmeen Al Ameri, CEO, Silal
“This MoU marks a significant advancement in our collaboration 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.”
“The signing of this MoU represents a major step forward in our partnership with Silal. This detailed framework allows us to bring together Bayer’s global expertise in sustainable agriculture with Silal’s deep understanding of local agricultural challenges, advancing our mission of “Health for all, Hunger for none” while addressing critical climate challenges.”
Hugo Hagen, Bayer’s Senior Representative for the Middle East
“The initiatives outlined in this MoU, particularly the establishment of the Forward Farming model and seed development at our Innovation Oasis, will create a powerful platform for demonstrating sustainable desert farming practices. This collaboration will enhance our capability to drive agricultural innovation in the UAE.”
Dr. Shamal Mohammed, Head of AgriTech at Silal
“This expanded partnership exemplifies Bayer’s commitment to open innovation in agriculture. By combining our research and development capabilities with Silal’s local agricultural expertise, we are well-positioned to develop solutions that address the unique challenges of desert farming.”
Sami Joost, Bayer’s Head of Communications and Open Innovation in the Middle East
Impact Beyond Borders
The expanded partnership not only supports the UAE’s National Food Security Strategy but also aims to develop scalable solutions for arid regions worldwide. Together, Silal and Bayer are charting a path toward sustainable, climate-resilient agriculture that can serve as a model for the future.
