260% jump in agricultural production…a new innovation that turns palm waste into “green gold”

A vital innovative project adopted by Dubai succeeded in converting palm waste into high-value biofertilizers known as “green gold,” achieving a jump in the productivity of some crops that reached 260%, in addition to improving soil fertility by between 20 and 30%, and benefiting more than 4,800 smallholder farmers, in an achievement that enhances the circular economy and supports food security and agricultural sustainability in the region..

This comes after B-Vita, a startup company in the field of biotechnology, was selected as an “innovator” within the “Dubai Solutions for the Future – Innovations for Humanity” program, which aims to attract and develop innovative solutions capable of addressing global challenges and transforming them into sustainable development and economic opportunities..

Especially important in the Emirates

In detail, the team told Emirates Today that the project is gaining special importance in the UAE and the region, given the abundance of agricultural palm waste, part of which is disposed of in traditional ways, while providing a practical model for converting these wastes into vital products that support agricultural production, reduce environmental waste, and limit dependence on imported fertilizers..

He added that the project depends on repurposing untapped agricultural resources and converting them into production inputs of economic value, which contributes to raising the efficiency of the agricultural sector and enhancing its sustainability..

From waste to economic wealth

Co-founder and CEO of B-Vita, Mohamed Tariq Abdel Zaher, said that the company relies on an advanced system that combines biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things, to transform palm waste and algae into biofertilizers and natural raw materials used in the agricultural and food sectors..

He explained that palm waste represents an untapped economic resource, not just agricultural waste, indicating that the goal is to transform it into high-value products that support farmers and raise the efficiency of agricultural production in a sustainable manner..

He added that Dubai’s adoption of the project represented a turning point in the company’s journey, as it provides an integrated environment for innovation, experimentation and expansion, which accelerates the dissemination of technology in the region’s markets..

He stressed that innovation faces major challenges in the agricultural sector, most notably declining soil fertility, rising fertilizer prices, and pollution resulting from burning waste, in addition to disruptions in global supply chains..

Field results

Regarding the results, he pointed out that field experiments supported by the World Food Programme’s Innovation Accelerator showed remarkable results, as some crops such as wheat, potatoes, and corn recorded an increase in productivity that reached 260%, in addition to an improvement in soil fertility by a percentage ranging between 20 and 30%.%.

More than 4,800 farmers also benefited from the model developed by the company, which is based on repurposing agricultural waste and transforming it into products of economic value, instead of disposing of it or burning it..

He said: “If we succeed in converting millions of tons of palm waste in the region into vital agricultural products, we will not only address an environmental problem, but also create a new economy that supports food security and provides development opportunities for farmers.”».

Biology recruitment

For her part, the co-founder and scientific director of the project, Najla Muhammad, confirmed to Emirates Today that the technology developed by the company is based on employing microbiology and biotechnology to recycle agricultural resources and transform them into more sustainable production inputs..

She added that the results of field experiments showed the ability of biofertilizers to improve soil fertility and raise the productivity of a number of major crops, thus enhancing the economic viability of farmers and reducing the environmental impact of traditional agriculture..

She added that the global challenge is no longer limited to food production, but extends to producing it in sustainable ways capable of confronting climate change, which is what the company seeks to achieve through solutions based on scientific innovation..

Dubai…an environment supportive of innovation

Regarding the expansion of the project, she explained that it started from the academic and research environment in Egypt before making Dubai a center for its regional and global expansion, benefiting from the environment that supports innovation in the emirate, noting its participation in the annual exhibition of the “Dubai Solutions for the Future – Innovations for Humanity” program during November 2025, where it was chosen to join the program for building pioneering projects, in preparation for a new phase of commercial expansion and localization of vital agricultural inputs in the region..

She stressed that the project combines environmental, economic and social impact within an integrated model, as it contributes to reducing agricultural waste, improving the efficiency of using natural resources, and enhancing the resilience of the agricultural sector in the face of climate change, in addition to providing local alternatives to vital agricultural raw materials, reducing production costs and reducing dependence on high-priced chemical fertilizers..

International recognition for a promising project

The innovation team confirmed that the project won a number of international awards and recognition, most notably the grand prize of the competition GoGettaz For agricultural entrepreneurship, in addition to the selection of its founders among the “Forbes 30 under 30” list».

He pointed out that the company’s joining the “Dubai Future Solutions – Innovations for Humanity” program represents a turning point in its journey, as the program annually includes 100 innovative projects selected from thousands of global entries, with the support of the Dubai Future Foundation and the Hussain Sajwani Foundation – DAMAC, and in founding partnership with the Dubai International Financial Centre.