Silal, Abu Dhabis new fresh produce and agri-tech company, has signed agreements with more than 850 local farms in Abu Dhabi to supply more than 30,000 tonnes of fresh produce during the present crop season. The initiative is in line with Silals endeavors to encourage farmers, promote local food production, and become a prime supplier of high quality, locally farmed fresh produce across the UAE. His Excellency, Eng Jamal Salem Al Dhaheri, CEO of Silal: Silal amplifies farmers capabilities in Abu Dhabi to boost local production of agricultural crops and build strong and smart food supply chains. Silal will continue to expand contract farming in Abu Dhabi and deploy advanced agritech solutions by working with local and international partners. This is to achieve increased volumes of fresh agricultural crop production and raise the UAEs self-sufficiency in selected products. Farming inputs were provided by Silal to its contracted farmers and has a team of qualified agricultural engineers who work collaborating with farmers to improve production quality and yields and encourage sustainable farming practices. Silal offers best pricing options to empower and protect farmers livelihoods from market price inconstancy. The company operates at 16 collection centres across the emirate of Abu Dhabi, and three pack-houses. Additionally, it directs a distribution centre where it receives products from local farms, conducts quality control and distributes to customers across the UAE. Silal has also worked on strengthening its collaboration with major retail outlets, wholesalers, food distribution companies, hotels and the catering trade, offering a range of high quality, locally farmed fresh produce across the nation. Silal will carry out its charges to diversify food products sources and spur the local agri-food industry and will continue its cooperation with Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) to develop the agricultural sector and support farmers. Silal manages procurement programs and strategic stocks of foodstuffs and executes expert knowledge transfer programs on desert farming techniques. The company also devices projects and initiatives to support the increase its local production of fruits and vegetables for smallholder farmers in the UAE.