On 11 November, the Global AgroVet Research Conference (GARCX 2025) hosted a panel titled "Investing for Resilience: Mobilizing Capital for AgriTech and Climate-Smart Agriculture in the MENA Region," bringing together leaders in finance, food innovation and agricultural development. Held at Dusit Thani Dubai, the session examined how capital is driving more resilient and sustainable food systems across the region.
Moderated by Amit Grover, Managing Partner at Grover & Company, the panel featured Roman Ulyanov, Founder of Greeneration, Mohammed Rubbani, Al Ghurair Group, José Francisco Fernández Serna, E-motion Foods, and Warmate Jones Idikio, AFCFT.
© GreenerationRoman Ulyanov speaking about climate smart agriculture
Panelists opened the talk with the region's urgent need to reduce climate and supply-chain vulnerabilities. They agreed that resilience now depends on technologies and business models which save water, stabilise production and strengthen local supply. Investors are moving toward companies that offer measurable environmental efficiency and clear commercial viability.
From an investor's perspective, Mohammed Rubbani highlighted that large groups assess agritech ventures through long-term impact and operational strength. José Francisco Fernández Serna added that founders must demonstrate data-backed performance, transparent unit economics and a scalable operating model before securing significant capital.
© Greeneration
Bringing the founder's view, Roman Ulyanov shared insights shaped by building Greeneration into one of the UAE's leading vertical farms. He explained why the region is ready for serious investment in climate-smart agriculture: growing demand for clean, local produce, supportive government policies and the operational realities of desert farming.
Roman outlined four factors investors prioritise in MENA agritech, those being water-efficient systems, predictable and stable production, strong route-to-market execution and scalability across different climates.
Representing regional trade and expansion, Warmate Jones Idikio stressed the need for cross-border cooperation and financing tools that help early-stage technologies reach commercial maturity in climate-sensitive areas.
The session closed with a forward-looking discussion on where investment is heading. Panelists pointed to protected-environment farming, precision irrigation, regenerative soil inputs and data-driven cold-chain logistics as key growth areas for the next five years. They noted that sustainability requirements and consumer expectations are accelerating demand for climate-smart agriculture across the UAE and wider MENA region.
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