Signed at the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit in Dubai, the MoU outlines an ambitious programme of collaboration through 2028, focusing on four key initiatives designed to advance agricultural practices in desert environments while addressing climate change challenges.
Under the expanded partnership, Silal and Bayer will collaborate on developing cutting-edge digital farming solutions specifically tailored for the region’s unique agricultural needs. A cornerstone of the collaboration will be the potential establishment of a ForwardFarming demonstration site at Silal Innovation Oasis, showcasing sustainable desert farming practices.
The partnership will also scale up agricultural capacity building through Bayer’s BayG.A.P. programme, with particular emphasis on regenerative agriculture practices suitable for arid climates. A key innovation in this phase includes the implementation of digital monitoring and verification platforms to ensure the effective adoption of sustainable farming practices.
Additionally, the collaboration encompasses the extension of comprehensive vegetable seed trials aimed at identifying crops better suited to local growing conditions and market demands.
“This MoU marks a significant advancement in our collaboration with Bayer,” said Silal CEO Salmeen Al Ameri.
“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, Bayer’s senior representative in the Middle East, added: “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, while addressing critical climate challenges.”
The collaboration between Silal and Bayer continues to represent a significant step forward in advancing agricultural innovation and sustainability in the UAE. Through this expanded partnership, both organisations aim to contribute meaningfully to the UAE’s National Food Security while developing solutions that can benefit arid regions worldwide.
The agricultural sector is of paramount importance to the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA), where the pressing reality of climate change poses a significant and growing threat. Countries in this region are particularly vulnerable due to their exposure to extreme heat, arid conditions, and limited availability of arable land, making them highly susceptible to the adverse impacts of a warming planet.
The expanded collaboration between Bayer and Silal reinforces their shared commitment to advancing agricultural innovation and local food production in the UAE.
The need for open innovation in agriculture
Sami Joost, head of open innovation at Middle East at Bayer, added: “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.”
