Silal, Abu Dhabi’s new fresh produce and agritech company, has signed agreements with more than 850local farms in Abu Dhabito supply more than 30,000 tonnes of fresh produce during the current crop season.The initiativeis in line with Silal’s endeavours to support farmers, promote local food production,and become a leading supplier of high quality, locally farmed fresh produce across the UAE.
His Excellency, Eng Jamal Salem Al Dhaheri, CEO of Silal: “Silal amplifies farmers’ capabilities in Abu Dhabito boost local production of agricultural crops andbuild strong and smart food supply chains.Silal will continue to expand contract farming in Abu Dhabi and deploy advanced agritech solutions by working with local and international partners. This is to achieve increased volumes of fresh agricultural crop production andraise the UAE’s self-sufficiency in selected products.”
Silal provides farming inputs to its contracted farmers and has a team of qualified agricultural engineers who work in collaborationwith farmers to improve production quality and yields and encourage sustainable farming practices. Silal offers premium pricing options to empower and protect farmers livelihoods from market price volatility.The company operates 16 collection centres across the emirate of Abu Dhabi, and three pack-houses.Additionally, it manages a distribution centre where it receives products from local farms, conducts quality control and distributes to customers across the UAE.
Silal has also strengthened its collaboration with major retail outlets, wholesalers, food distribution companies,hotels and the catering trade, offering a range of high quality, locally farmed fresh produce across the nation.
Silal will carry out its mandates to diversify food products’ sources and spur the local agri-food industry and will continue its cooperation with Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) to elevate the agricultural sector and support farmers.
Silal manages procurement programmes and strategic stocks of foodstuffs and executes specialised knowledge transfer programmes on desert farming techniques. The company also devises projects and initiatives to support the increase in local production of fruits and vegetables for smallholder farmers in the UAE.