Al Dahra’s integrated strategies for arid-land agricultural developmentCase study 4 Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, Al Dahra is a vertically integrated agri-food enterprise with global operations spanning farming, animal feed, grains and food production. The company focuses on optimizing resource efficiency in arid regions. In Egypt, through its innovative “sand-to-soil” approach, Al Dahra has transformed 16,000 hectares of desert into high- yielding agricultural land and has emerged as the largest private sector wheat producer over the past three years. Technology innovations Soil improvement –Desert reclamation: Applied a sand-to-soil approach to convert saline desert into arable land through soil rehabilitation and no-till practices, enabling carbon sequestration in previously barren areas. –Improved fertility and reduced erosion in Toshka by using Egyptian clover for cover cropping and adopting no-till farming to retain moisture and eliminate stubble burning.Smart irrigation –Piloted the Dragon-Line system in Toshka, combining drip irrigation with mechanized pivots for efficient surface watering. Adopted iCrop technology and automated pivots in East Owainat to conserve groundwater. Genetic improvement –Cultivated drought-tolerant sorghum and sesame varieties, reducing water requirements while maintaining yield, with 1,000 acres cultivated by 2024. Outcomes –Food security: Produced a diverse range of essential crops and delivered 450,000 tonnes of wheat to government silos, reducing Egypt’s import bill by over $250 million since inception. –Water management: Dragon-Line irrigation pilot project is expected to reduce water usage by up to 20%, with broader implementation planned for 2025. –Carbon sequestration: Measurable increases in soil carbon levels across rehabilitated desert lands through regenerative practices and no-till farming methods. –Biodiversity enhancement: Observed an increase in the number and variety of bird species onsite. Lessons learned –Success relies on soil rehabilitation, government partnerships for regulatory support and ecosystem collaboration to reduce risks in land reclamation and infrastructure. –Private sector initiatives can support national agricultural goals while ensuring commercial viability.Source: Al Dahra interviews and materials review. From Scarcity to Solutions: Food-Water Innovation in Asia and the Middle East 22

From Scarcity to Solutions 2025