ADQ’s Silal to enhance the food and agriculture sector in the UAE

Abu Dhabi’s leading holding company ADQ has initiated a new venture named ‘Silal’, with an aim to expand food sources and grow regionally cultivated and produced food.

Jamal Al Dhaheri, an industry veteran with more than 25 years of experience at various leadership roles will be Silal’s Chief Executive Officer.

According to the officials, the name Silal, meaning “baskets” in Arabic, refers to the diversity and abundance of products that are at the core of what the new company offers.

This company would complete the efforts of the Abu Dhabi government to secure food supply chains and to improve food supply and distribution in the country.

Silal’s efforts will include off-tech programs and strategic food storage. And also, to increase the production of local fruit and vegetables from small farmers in the UAE, it will introduce information-sharing programs and other research and development projects relating to desert agriculture.

ADQ announced earlier this year that it will acquire a 50 percent stake in Al Dahra Holding Company, which conducts agribusiness in particular for animal husbandry and essential food products.

Through the Senaat, the Agthia and Al Foah, have become the part of ADQ’s food and agricultural portfolio. Both companies provide services for a wide range of food and beverages.

Jamal Salem Al Dhaheri, CEO Silal said, “Silal will facilitate sustained production, sourcing and distribution of essential foods in Abu Dhabi for the benefit of retailers, farmers, and the community.”

The UAE has long recognized the value of ensuring the availability of food as a national priority. Each year, it produces about six million food which shows the country’s self-efficiency in food production.

Through “Ag-Tech”, UAE has taken the initiation to enhance regional food production. Also made necessary steps to improve the domestic food yields through bioscience, research and development (R&D) and technology-enabled food production.