UAE’s Silal, Limagrain launch ARC-GEN for resilient crops

The UAE is taking a major leap in agricultural innovation as Silal, the country’s leading agri-food and technology company, joins forces with Limagrain Vegetable Seeds (LVS) to establish the Center of Excellence for Abiotic Resilience and Crop Genomics (ARC-GEN) in Al Ain.

The collaboration aims to develop vegetable varieties that can thrive under extreme conditions such as heat, drought, and soil salinity, while leveraging cutting-edge genomics to enhance crop productivity and sustainability. The state-of-the-art facility at Silal Innovation Oasis will focus on pioneering research to safeguard food production and strengthen agriculture both locally and internationally.

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ARC-GEN will operate through two main research streams. The Plant Physiology Research Unit will explore how plants respond to environmental stress and identify seed types best suited to arid conditions. Meanwhile, the Gene Editing Research Unit will apply advanced techniques to improve plant genes, creating hardier, high-yielding varieties.

This initiative aligns closely with the UAE’s National Food Security Strategy 2051, supporting the country’s vision to expand local agricultural production and build sustainable food systems. By combining Silal’s local expertise with Limagrain’s global seed technology, the partnership is set to introduce innovative solutions for resilient farming in harsh environments.

Experts note that as climate change intensifies, initiatives like ARC-GEN are crucial for ensuring food security in arid regions, offering a model that other countries may follow to enhance crop resilience and sustainability.