In a landmark move to advance agricultural innovation, Silal and Bayer have signed a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit in Dubai. This marks a significant expansion of their partnership, initially launched in December 2023, reinforcing their joint commitment to sustainable agriculture in the UAE. The collaboration is set to continue through 2028, focusing on four key areas aimed at improving agricultural practices in desert environments and addressing the ongoing challenges posed by climate change.
The MoU, signed in the presence of major stakeholders from both organizations and the broader agricultural community, outlines a series of initiatives designed to elevate the agricultural landscape in the UAE. Central to the partnership is the introduction of advanced digital farming solutions, tailored to the unique needs of the region’s arid climate. As part of this initiative, the partners are planning to establish a ForwardFarming demonstration site at Silal’s Innovation Oasis, where sustainable desert farming practices will be showcased to a wider audience.
Additionally, the partnership will expand agricultural capacity-building efforts, particularly through Bayer’s BayG.A.P. program. This initiative will focus on promoting regenerative agricultural practices that are suitable for desert climates, aiming to boost soil health and long-term sustainability. Key to this program will be the deployment of digital monitoring and verification platforms, ensuring that these practices are effectively implemented and maintained.
The expanded partnership also includes a significant emphasis on vegetable seed trials, aimed at identifying crops better suited to the local growing conditions and market needs. This research will be critical in enhancing the UAE’s food security by ensuring that locally produced crops are viable and can meet the demands of the growing population.
Salmeen Al Ameri, CEO of Silal, highlighted the importance of this new phase in the partnership, saying, “This MoU represents a major step forward in our collaboration with Bayer. By combining Bayer’s global technological expertise with our local knowledge, we are laying the foundation for sustainable agricultural innovation that will benefit UAE farmers and strengthen our commitment to increasing local food production.”
Hugo Hagen, Senior Bayer Representative for the Middle East, echoed these sentiments, stating, “The signing of this MoU is a major milestone in our partnership with Silal. It allows us to combine Bayer’s expertise in sustainable agriculture with Silal’s in-depth understanding of the region’s agricultural challenges, which will help us work towards our mission of ‘Health for all, Hunger for none’ while addressing pressing climate challenges.”
Dr. Shamal Mohammed, Head of AgriTech at Silal, expressed confidence in the potential impact of the collaboration, especially with the planned ForwardFarming site and seed trials. He remarked, “These initiatives will serve as a powerful platform for demonstrating sustainable desert farming practices and will significantly enhance our ability to drive agricultural innovation across the UAE.”
Sami Joost, Head of Communications at Bayer Middle East, noted the importance of open innovation in agriculture. He emphasized that by integrating Bayer’s R&D capabilities with Silal’s deep local expertise, the two organizations are well-positioned to develop solutions that meet the unique challenges of farming in desert climates.
The strategic partnership between Silal and Bayer not only supports the UAE’s goal of achieving greater food security but also positions the region as a leader in sustainable agricultural practices in arid environments. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and research, the partnership aims to create solutions that could have far-reaching impacts, potentially benefiting other arid regions around the world.
About Bayer Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in healthcare and nutrition, with a mission to provide “Health for all, Hunger for none.” The company is dedicated to addressing the world’s major challenges, including sustainable development, climate resilience, and food security. With a strong commitment to innovation and growth, Bayer employs approximately 100,000 people worldwide and reported sales of 47.6 billion euros in 2023.
