A collaboration between Silal, Abu Dhabi’s leading fresh produce and agri-tech company, and AeroFarms, a leader in indoor vertical farming, aims to increase crop resilience and support the adoption of advanced farming systems in the country.
The two organisation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to forge a long-term research and development collaboration that aims to improve yield, reduce cost and waste, and enhance environmental sustainability practices in agriculture across the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Increasing crop resilience
A particular focus would be to improve the genetics and seedling quality of vegetable and fruit varieties so they become more resilient and tolerant to extreme growing conditions.
The quality of the seedling quality is essential for good crop establishment, growth and yield and the collaboration would evaluate and test crops that have large consumer demand such as chilli pepper, capsicum, cucumber, tomato, lettuce, broccoli, courgette, melons, eggplant, strawberry, and blueberry.
Salmeen Obaid Alameri, CEO of Silal, explains that by working with AeroFarms, the company will explore advanced farming techniques that will enable local farmers to produce better, smarter, and more sustainably. This will bring far-reaching benefits for producers and consumers. “Our collaboration is another monumental step for Silal in its efforts to drive, deliver and safeguard the high-quality food supply for the UAE and its people.”
David Rosenberg, Co-Founder and CEO of AeroFarms, says the company is excited to partner with Silal to “create innovative agricultural breakthroughs that will improve the food system in the UAE.”
Indoor vertical farm test centre
The trials and experiments on the crops will be conducted at AeroFarms AgX facility, a state-of-the-art indoor vertical farm in Abu Dhabi, and the largest research centre of its kind in the world. Also, experiments on crops identified by both parties and which are valuable to local growers will be held in Silal’s farms. Additionally, knowledge transfer opportunities will be looked at for training, workshops, and seminars to share expertise with wider farming communities in Abu Dhabi.