The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) has partnered with Silal, a prominent food and agri-tech company, to introduce a year-long agricultural training program for inmates at correctional and rehabilitation facilities in Abu Dhabi. The initiative is designed to equip participants with specialized skills to aid their rehabilitation and facilitate successful reintegration into society upon release.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formalizing the collaboration was signed by Counsellor Yousef Saeed Al Abri, Undersecretary of the ADJD, and Dhafer Rashid Al Qasimi, Chief Executive Officer of Silal, during the Global Food Week 2026 event held from October 6 to 8 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

According to Al Abri, the program aligns with directives from Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice-President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, who has emphasized the importance of enhancing rehabilitation initiatives for the inmate population.

The 12-month curriculum is structured around the “Farmer Field Schools” model, providing inmates with practical training in sustainable agricultural practices. Participants will gain hands-on experience with modern farming techniques, including crop cultivation, and develop entrepreneurial skills to support potential future economic opportunities.

This initiative reflects a broader effort to incorporate vocational education within the correctional system, aiming to reduce recidivism by fostering meaningful employment prospects and social integration for former inmates.