Silal and Bayer Advance Agricultural Innovation Partnership with Comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding

Abu Dhabi / Dubai, United Arab Emirates – December 9^th, 2024: Silal and Bayer, a global leader in life sciences with a strong focus on healthcare and nutrition, have strengthened their commitment to agricultural innovation in theUAE through the signing of a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit in Dubai. This milestone builds upon the successful partnership established between the organizations in December 2023.[1]

The MoU outlines an ambitious program of collaboration through 2028, focusing on four key initiatives designed to advance agricultural practices in desert environments while addressing climate change challenges. The MoU was signed during a ceremony attended by key stakeholders from both organizations and the agricultural sector.

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 establishment of a Forward Farming demonstration site at Silal Innovation Oasis, showcasing sustainable desert farming practices.

The partnership will also scale up agricultural capacity building through Bayer's Bay G.A.P. program, with particular emphasison regenerative agriculture practices suitable for arid climates. A keyinnovation in this phase includes the implementation of digital monitoring andverification platforms to ensure the effective adoption of sustainable farmingpractices.

Additionally, the collaboration encompasses the extension of comprehensive vegetable seed trials aimed at identifying crops better suited to local growing conditions and market demands.

Mr. Salmeen Al Ameri, CEO at Silal, commented on the expansion of the partnership: "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."

Mr. Hugo Hagen, Senior Bayer Representative – Middle East at Bayer, stated: "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."

Dr. Shamal Mohammed, Head of AgriTech at Silal, emphasized: "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."

Mr. Sami Joost, Head of Communications, Public Affairs & Open Innovation – MiddleEast 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."

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 organizations aim to contribute meaningfully to the UAE's National Food Security while developing solutions that can benefit arid regions worldwide.