A new international partnership is investing in vegetable seed research tailored to desert and arid environments. With a focus on boosting food production in challenging climates, the collaboration will establish a research center in the UAE to develop resilient, high-performing seed varieties using advanced breeding tools.
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ADQ has signed a definitive agreement to acquire a strategic equity stake in Limagrain Vegetable Seeds, a division of French cooperative Groupe Limagrain and the world’s fourth-largest seed company.
The move, described in a news release, also establishes a joint R&D partnership focused on developing seeds suited for desert and arid climates.
The initiative will create a research and development center in Abu Dhabi. The center aims to harness genetic advancements to improve the resilience, yield, and nutritional profile of vegetables grown in high-temperature and low-water environments.
“We are investing to accelerate the development of cutting-edge agricultural technologies that contribute to a more sustainable and resilient food system,” ADQ executive director, food and agriculture Thulfiqar Al Badri said in the release. “Our partnership with Limagrain Vegetable Seeds underscores our commitment to developing arid climate agriculture and contributing to global food security.”
Limagrain Vegetable Seeds operates in over 100 countries and holds expertise in genetics for tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, beans, and other key crops. The new partnership gives Limagrain a research base in the Gulf region and strengthens its position in climate-smart innovation.
“Through this partnership, we will combine our global vegetable seeds R&D capabilities with ADQ’s vision and investment strength to create new seed varieties that thrive in the UAE’s unique growing conditions,” says Vincent Rousselle, CEO of Limagrain Vegetable Seeds. “This is a step forward for our ambition to broaden the reach of our vegetable seed portfolio.”
The collaboration will explore how genomics, phenotyping, and digital technologies can be applied to vegetable crops under UAE conditions. It also aligns with the UAE’s National Food Security Strategy and ADQ’s broader investment in sustainable food and agriculture.
The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.
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