SILAL and Bayer Forge Pioneering Partnership to Drive Open Innovation in Agriculture

Abu Dhabi / Dubai, United Arab Emirates –5^th December 2023: Silal and Bayer, a global leader in life sciences with a strong focus on healthcare andnutrition, have joined forces in a pioneering collaboration set to strengthenthe agricultural landscape in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), addressingclimate change as a pivotal concern.

The partnership was announced during a signage ceremony of a CollaborationAgreement during the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit in Dubai on December 4^th,2023, in attendance of key private and public sector stakeholders.

This strategic partnership represents a significant milestone in the journey towardsadvancing best-in-class agricultural practices, especially under the challenging climatic conditions of the UAE, which are only expected to intensify due to theongoing threat of climate change. Recognizing the vital role of agriculture inmitigating climate change and enhancing resilience, Silal and Bayer aresteadfast in their commitment to bolster the agricultural sector in the battleagainst global warming. Together, Silal and Bayer will partner to enhance thecapabilities of local agronomists, fostering an environment conducive toagricultural innovation and excellence, leveraging Bayer’s BayG.A.P. capacitybuilding program.

The programen compasses modules on essential topics such as Integrated Pest Management,Safe Use, Crop Protection Products, Application Technology, and Irrigation. The implementation of the program foresees to follow a train-the-trainer approach.In the first step, agricultural engineers and farm managers will be trained. Inthe second stage, these trainers will then extend the capacity building efforts to potentially reach over 300 growers in the UAE, who are part of Silal’s network.

Another pivotal aspect of this partnership will be the undertaking of comprehensive vegetable seed trials. These trials will encompass a wide array of tomato, cucumber, andmelon seed varieties, each meticulously tested in diverse open field andmid-tech greenhouse setups. Further, these trials will embody a range of over 30 vegetable seeds varieties and aim to investigate how these varieties performunder challenging desert farming conditions, assessing their increased crop endurance, quality, and shelf-life characteristics. The research and data collected from these trials will not only benefit agricultural practices in theUAE but will also play a crucial role in informing agricultural practices in regions worldwide grappling with the challenges posed by climate change,especially rising temperatures in combination with high levels of humidity,also known as wet-bulb temperatures.

As the worldgathers for COP28 (the UNFCCC’s 28^th Conference of the Parties),where discussions on climate change are taking center stage, this partnershipunderscores the urgency of advancing agriculture to address climate change.Agriculture is both a source of greenhouse gas emissions and a critical toolfor sequestering carbon and reducing emissions, making it a central focus inthe global climate agenda.

Bayer, aglobal enterprise with a long-standing commitment to improving healthcare and nutrition worldwide, views this partnership as an essential building block for expanding its Open Innovation ecosystem. By collaborating closely with key stakeholders, Bayer seeks to amplify global food security efforts and foster innovation within the agricultural sector, all while championing sustainable practices that combat climate change.

Furthermore,this collaboration with Silal is firmly aligned with Bayer’s overarching mission of “Health for All, Hunger for None.” It exemplifies the company’sdedication to addressing the critical challenges of our time by promotingsustainable agriculture and food production, ensuring that no one goes hungrywhile safeguarding the health and well-being of all.

Mr. SalmeenAl Ameri, CEO at Silal, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, saying, “Thiscollaboration between Silal and Bayer holds immense promise for the future of agriculture in the UAE. By leveraging Bayer’s global expertise and our local knowledge, we aim to develop innovative solutions that will bolster the sustainability of our agricultural practices, against the climate change challenges.”

Mr. Hugo Hagen, Senior Bayer Representative – Middle East at Bayer, echoed this sentiment, stating, “We are excited to embark on this journey with Silal, apartner that shares our vision for a world where hunger is eradicated, andhealth prevails. Together, we will harness the power of innovation to support transforming agriculture in the UAE and contribute to the country’s NationalFood Security Strategy 2051, all while addressing the urgent global challenge of climate change.”

Dr. Shamal Mohammed, Head of AgriTech at Silal added: “This collaboration reflects our commitment to strengthening the UAE’s AgriTech innovation landscape. Our partnership with Bayer will significantly contribute to our Innovation Oasis,and together, we are well-positioned to drive positive change in the agriculture sector.”

Mr. SamiJoost, Global Communications Director International Relations & License to Operate – Crop Science and Open Innovation Lead – United Arab Emirates at Bayer, underlined: “At Bayer, we have leading research and development capabilities inplant breeding, biotechnology, chemistry, and data science, allowing us todeliver tailored solutions to farmers faster than ever before. Collaborationwith external partners and complementing our in-house expertise with theknow-how of excellent partners such as Silal is an integral part of drivinginnovation impact at Bayer.”

Thiscollaboration between Silal and Bayer represents a formidable alliancededicated to forging new frontiers in agriculture, sustainability, andinnovation. As the partnership gains momentum, it is aimed to help inform and shape the future of agriculture in the United Arab Emirates and other regions facing climate challenges in a meaningful way in support to create a safe and sustainable ecosystem for generations to come.

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