Key Takeaways:
- The Middle East, particularly the UAE, is becoming a center for innovation in desert farming and climate-resilient agriculture.
- Bayer is committed to scaling regenerative agriculture as a balanced solution for farmers, society, and the environment.
- Bayer signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Silal to advance digital farming, conduct vegetable seed trials, promote agricultural capacity building & traceability, and develop ForwardFarming model for arid environments.
Thea-Isabella Otto spoke with Raphael Dumain, Global Lead of External Innovation & Partnerships – Bayer Crop Science R&D (Profile), during the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit in Dubai to discuss how agricultural innovation and desert farming are changing the food systems in the region. The discussion emphasized how important collaborations and technology are to tackling the particular difficulties of dry regions while promoting food security and climate resilience.
Desert Farming as a Catalyst for Change
Desert farming is emerging as a critical solution to the challenges posed by arid environments, including water scarcity, poor soil conditions, and extreme climates. Dumain highlighted the role of innovative practices, such as the use of IoT sensors to monitor variables like soil moisture and temperature, enabling farmers to maximize efficiency and conserve resources.
Dumain remarked, “Desert farming is not only vital for regions like the Middle East but also offers scalable solutions for global agriculture as climate change continues to affect traditional farming areas.”
The UAE, with its advanced infrastructure and resource-efficient practices, is becoming a testbed for cutting-edge agricultural technologies. These innovations aim to optimize resource use while ensuring high productivity in challenging conditions.
Regenerative Agriculture: A Sustainable Model to ‘produce more while restoring more’
Dumain emphasized the importance of regenerative agriculture as an “outcome-based solution” that integrates environmental, societal, and economic benefits. According to him, regenerative practices can:
- Improve soil health and sequester carbon to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Secure sustainable food supplies for growing populations.
- Provide farmers with economically viable solutions that enhance livelihoods.
By combining biological products, advanced breeding techniques, and data-driven insights, Bayer is working to transform farming practices. Dumain stated, “At Bayer, we believe that solutions must be tailored to benefit farmers, society, and the planet.”
Bayer and Silal Collaboration
A highlight of the summit was the announcement of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Bayer and Silal, a leading UAE-based Agribusiness. This collaboration focuses on advancing agricultural innovation in desert farming through the following initiatives:
- Digital Farming Solutions: Developing cutting-edge digital farming solutions tailored to the region’s unique agricultural needs.
- ForwardFarming Model: Potentially establishing a demonstration site at Silal Innovation Oasis to showcase sustainable desert farming practices.
- Agricultural Capacity Building & Traceability: Enhancing agricultural capacity through Bayer’s BayG.A.P. program, focusing on regenerative practices for arid climates and implementing digital monitoring and verification platforms.
- Vegetable Seed Trials: Conducting comprehensive trials to identify crops better suited to local growing conditions and market demands.
“This collaboration reflects a shared vision to address agricultural challenges in arid regions and develop solutions that can serve as models for global farming,” Dumain commented.
Digital Farming and Supply Chain Efficiency
Digital farming platforms can be central to the transformation of desert farming. Such platforms integrate localized data to offer tailored recommendations for pest, disease, and weed management, helping farmers make informed decisions.
Additionally, the digitization of supply chains is crucial in addressing inefficiencies and reducing food loss. Dumain explained, “Digital tools allow us to enhance traceability and optimize supply chains from farm to table, minimizing waste and improving sustainability.”
Overcoming Barriers to Knowledge Gap and Access to Technology
Despite advancements, challenges remain in scaling desert farming innovations across regions with varying infrastructure. Dumain noted that while the UAE benefits from advanced connectivity, rural areas in many parts of the world still lack basic internet access. Addressing these gaps will require investment in infrastructure and training programs to empower farmers.
“Technology must be accessible for farmers of all scales, and that means integrating solutions into their existing operations,” Dumain emphasized. Bayer has invested in training initiatives to ensure farmers can adopt and benefit from new tools.
As part of the BayG.A.P. program, Bayer conducts training sessions to assist farmers in obtaining certification and acquiring the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively market their produce in local, regional, and international markets.
Climate-Smart Solutions in Desert Farming
The role of climate-smart technologies in desert farming cannot be overstated. Innovations like short stature corn for resilient food system, precision irrigation systems to save water and practices to decarbonize agriculture are enabling farmers to maintain productivity while reducing their environmental footprint. Dumain pointed out, “Agriculture has the potential to significantly contribute to reducing emissions when supported by scalable technologies and effective incentive systems.”
