What's Happening?
Silal's Innovation Oasis has entered into a collaboration with agritech company Square Roots to enhance climate-smart agriculture in the UAE. This partnership aims to bolster food security, improve water
efficiency, and foster an innovative agricultural ecosystem. Square Roots will establish a cloud-connected, AI-powered research facility at the Innovation Oasis site, serving as a national testbed for indoor and desert farming innovations. The collaboration will focus on developing low-light crop genetics, modular indoor farming systems, and AI technologies tailored for agriculture. Additionally, the partnership will localize Square Roots' 'Next-Gen Farmer Training Program' to equip Emirati scientists and farmers with advanced skills.
Why It's Important?
This collaboration is significant as it addresses the UAE's strategic goals of enhancing food security and resource efficiency in agriculture. By integrating advanced research and AI-driven tools, the initiative aims to create sustainable farming models that can be replicated in other arid regions. The partnership also supports the UAE's vision of becoming a global hub for agricultural innovation, potentially leading to increased local food production and reduced reliance on imports. The development of resource-efficient farming solutions could benefit smallholder farmers, promoting economic growth and sustainability in the region.
What's Next?
The partnership will see the deployment of a research and development farm at the Innovation Oasis site, which will serve as a platform for testing new technologies under real desert conditions. This initiative is expected to foster commercially viable farming models tailored to the UAE's unique climate. The collaboration may also lead to further international partnerships and innovations in desert agriculture, enhancing the UAE's leadership in this field.
