Silal, National Agricultural Centre partner to boost UAE food security - Dubai 92 - The UAE's Feel Great radio station

Silal, the Abu Dhabi-based agri-food and technology company, has announced an expansion of its operations into Ras Al Khaimah in partnership with the National Agricultural Centre, with activities beginning in the Al Hamraniyah area from March 9. The move aims to support local farmers, strengthen marketing of Emirati agricultural products and expand access to markets as part of a broader effort to bolster the UAE’s agricultural production ecosystem and national food security.

"The initiative forms part of a broader integrated system designed to enhance the efficiency of agricultural supply chains across the UAE, support the long-term sustainability of the agricultural sector, and contribute to the country’s national food security objectives," the report published by WAM and carried by ARN News Staff said.

Program details and immediate actions

Silal and the National Agricultural Centre will launch the first phase of the initiative in Al Hamraniyah, working directly with farms in the area from March 9. The partnership is designed to establish an integrated support framework for farmers that combines on-the-ground technical support with commercial and logistical measures aimed at improving productivity and marketability.

• Technical assistance and application of best agricultural practices and inputs to boost farm productivity.
• Oversight of post-harvest handling to preserve quality and reduce losses before produce reaches markets.
• Strengthened product marketing efforts to increase visibility and competitiveness of Emirati agricultural products.
• Creation of a dedicated crop collection centre to facilitate receipt, distribution and marketing of produce.

According to the announcement, the crop collection centre will serve as a focal point for aggregating local harvests, streamlining distribution and connecting producers to wider retail and wholesale channels. Silal’s intervention is positioned to improve product quality standards and help farmers better navigate post-harvest and commercial stages that traditionally limit returns for small and medium-sized growers.

Context and strategic alignment

The collaboration aligns with national efforts to develop agricultural production ecosystems and food supply chains across the UAE’s emirates by integrating production, marketing and distribution stages. Silal — described in the release as an agri-food and technology company headquartered in Abu Dhabi — is extending its footprint beyond its home emirate to reinforce resilience in the agricultural sector and contribute to long-term sustainability goals.

Officials framed the Ras Al Khaimah expansion as part of an integrated system intended to enhance supply-chain efficiency across the country, support local farmers and strengthen the role of domestic agriculture in meeting the UAE’s food security objectives. The project underscores an emphasis on combining technical know-how with market access solutions to improve competitiveness of Emirati-grown produce in local markets.

Outlook

With operations set to begin in Al Hamraniyah on March 9, Silal and the National Agricultural Centre will focus initially on farm-level support and establishing the crop collection centre. If successful, the model could be replicated across other emirates as part of coordinated efforts to modernise supply chains and increase the contribution of local agriculture to national food security priorities.