Dubai, UAE — 11 November 2025: The Global AgroVet Research Conference (GARCX 2025) hosted a high-level panel titled “Investing for Resilience: Mobilizing Capital for AgriTech and Climate-Smart Agriculture in the MENA Region.” The session explored how financial investment is shaping long-term food resilience, sustainability, and technological adoption across the Middle East.

Held at Dusit Thani Dubai, the discussion brought together investors, founders, and regional leaders to outline capital opportunities in climate-smart agriculture, protected-environment farming, and next-generation production models.

Panel Speakers

• Roman Ulyanov, Founder of Greeneration
• Mohammed Rubbani, Al Ghurair Group
• José Francisco Fernández Serna, E-motion Foods
• Warmate Jones Idikio, AFCFTA

Moderated by Amit Grover, Managing Partner at Grover & Company, the conversation focused on the region’s urgent need to reduce climate and supply-chain vulnerabilities and build productive, resource-efficient agricultural models.

Investment Drivers in Climate-Smart Agriculture

Panelists agreed that the future of MENA agriculture depends on:

• Water-efficient and climate-resilient production systems
• Stable year-round output with predictable yields
• Market channels that ensure consistent demand and premium pricing
• Scalable technologies adaptable across diverse climate zones

From an investor standpoint, Mohammed Rubbani emphasized that agritech ventures must demonstrate long-term operational strength, environmental efficiency, and commercial viability.

José Francisco Fernández Serna added that founders need transparent unit economics, rigorous data-backed performance, and a scalable operating model to attract institutional financing.

Founder Perspective: Greeneration

Sharing insights from building one of the UAE’s leading vertical farms, Roman Ulyanov explained why the region is primed for investment in climate-smart agriculture: rising demand for clean, local produce; supportive government policy; and the operational realities of desert farming.

He outlined four key factors investors prioritize in MENA agritech:

• Water-efficient systems
• Predictable and stable production
• Strong route-to-market execution
• Scalability across climates

Regional Growth Outlook

Representing regional trade, Warmate Jones Idikio emphasized the importance of cross-border cooperation and financial tools that enable early-stage climate-smart technologies to reach commercial maturity.

Looking ahead, panelists identified several high-growth areas for the next five years:

• Protected-environment and controlled-environment farming
• Precision irrigation and resource-efficient systems
• Regenerative soil inputs and bio-based solutions
• Data-driven cold-chain logistics

They noted that consumer expectations and sustainability requirements are accelerating demand for climate-smart agriculture across the UAE and the wider MENA region.

About Greeneration

Greeneration is a high-end vertical farm based in Dubai, producing premium edible flowers, specialty leaves, and microgreens tailored for the fine dining and HoReCa sectors. Founded by Roman Ulyanov, the farm delivers hyper-local, same-day-harvested produce through advanced controlled-environment systems, hydroponics, and soil-free growing.

Beyond production, Greeneration partners with chefs to customize crop varieties and promote sustainable, low-carbon food systems across the UAE.