Shouguang to invest US$32M in smart farming project in Al Ain

UAE – Chinese agriculture firm Shouguang Vegetable Industry Group has committed over AED 120 million (US$32.64 million) to a new smart farming project in Al Ain, in partnership with UAE-based Silal.

The large-scale project, covering 100,000 square metres, aims to support modern agriculture in the region through high-tech solutions that improve efficiency and reduce resource use.

This announcement comes shortly after the launch of the UAE’s first fully autonomous, solar-powered greenhouses, another joint initiative by Silal and Shouguang.

The new greenhouses are already in operation at the Silal Innovation Oasis in Al Ain, where the companies also opened the Advanced Agritech Academy to train farmers and agricultural workers.

“This is a major milestone in our mission to advance agricultural technology and build sustainable food systems in the UAE,” said Silal CEO Salmeen Al Ameri in a LinkedIn post following the launch event. His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan attended the opening.

Shouguang’s investment will help expand the reach of smart farming in a region where high temperatures and water scarcity often limit food production. The technology behind the new greenhouses allows crops to grow throughout the year without needing manual labor.

These facilities rely completely on solar power, reducing energy and water use while improving growing conditions.

“Our focus is to make farming more efficient and productive, even in harsh environments,” said a spokesperson from Silal.

Training and knowledge sharing

The Al Ain launch follows another key move by Silal earlier this year. The company organized a study trip to the Netherlands for a group of farmers under contract with Silal.

During the visit, farmers observed advanced growing systems and spoke with experts on water and energy conservation in agriculture.

“The exposure provided valuable insights that could contribute to the growth of the UAE’s agricultural sector,” said a Silal spokesperson. “It aligns with our commitment to equipping local farmers with practical knowledge that can enhance food production in the United Arab Emirates.”

Farmers on the trip saw how modern tools such as climate-controlled greenhouses and smart irrigation systems can improve output without exhausting resources.

Silal plans to bring some of those lessons home, using its Innovation Oasis and Agritech Academy to pass that training on to farmers and students in the UAE.

Silal’s partnership with Shouguang reflects a bigger push to build food systems that are less dependent on imports. By bringing advanced technology and farmer education together, the company hopes to reduce the UAE’s reliance on outside food supplies.

“Our efforts are driven by long-term goals around sustainability and national food security,” said the Silal spokesperson. “We believe this project in Al Ain is just the beginning.”

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