Dubai, November 13, 2024 – A significant milestone in the advancement of sustainable agriculture was achieved on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, as the Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development (AAAID) and B-FARM for Vertical Farming signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Le Méridien Conference Center in Dubai.

The MoU was signed by H.E. Dr. Obaid Saif Hamad Al-Zaabi, Chairman of the Board of AAAID, and Mr. Paolo Bertero, General Manager of B-FARM for Vertical Farming. The agreement signifies a shared commitment to addressing the unique agricultural challenges of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region through innovative solutions and sustainable farming techniques.

Scope of the Collaboration
The MoU outlines a broad framework for cooperation between the two organizations, focusing on several key areas of mutual interest:

Exchange of Expertise: Facilitating knowledge-sharing and technical guidance between AAAID and B-FARM to enhance vertical farming practices.

Technical Support for Investment: Identifying and supporting investment opportunities that leverage advanced farming systems tailored to the MENA region’s needs.

Research and Development: Conducting joint research to develop and optimize vertical farming technologies, ensuring their adaptability to the region’s climatic conditions.

Capacity Building: Organizing training sessions, workshops, and seminars to empower farmers, stakeholders, and professionals with cutting-edge agricultural techniques.
A key element of the agreement includes exploring the feasibility of establishing a specialized company in the Gulf region. This company would focus on developing and deploying advanced systems for farming in controlled environments, addressing the growing demand for efficient and sustainable food production in the region.

A Step Toward Sustainable Agriculture
Vertical farming is gaining traction worldwide as an innovative solution to overcome challenges such as water scarcity, limited arable land, and food security. By focusing on farming within controlled environments, this approach offers significant advantages, including higher yields, reduced resource consumption, and the ability to grow crops closer to urban centers.

Through this partnership, AAAID and B-FARM aim to pioneer vertical farming solutions that are not only sustainable but also scalable, ensuring they meet the agricultural demands of the MENA region while reducing environmental impacts.

Impact and Future Prospects
This collaboration marks a vital step forward in promoting agricultural sustainability and innovation across the Gulf and broader MENA region. By combining AAAID’s extensive experience in agricultural investment with B-FARM’s expertise in vertical farming technologies, the partnership is set to create transformative solutions that address the pressing challenges of modern agriculture.

As the two organizations move forward with feasibility studies and pilot initiatives, their efforts are expected to pave the way for a new era of farming—one that is both technologically advanced and environmentally conscious.

The AgriNext conference continues to serve as a crucial platform for facilitating and promoting such impactful collaborations, bringing together global stakeholders to address the future of agriculture. Don’t miss the opportunity to be a part of the next two editions of AgriNext: in London on May 15–16, 2025 , and in Dubai on November 5–6, 2025 . These events promise to showcase more groundbreaking partnerships and innovations shaping the agricultural industry