About Durra.ai
Durra.ai, currently at the ideation stage, aims to transform Saudi Arabian agriculture by significantly enhancing irrigation efficiency through sophisticated AI analytics and real-time predictive capabilities. Driven by Numla Limited, specialists in AI solutions for resource management, Durra.ai is uniquely positioned to address Saudi Arabia’s critical water scarcity challenges, contributing significantly to national sustainability goals.
Strategic Partnerships
Actively forging strategic partnerships with leading institutions such as KAUST, Farmonaut, and Proveye, Durra.ai ensures constant access to innovative technologies and validation processes, accelerating market readiness and enhancing credibility.
Commitment to Saudi Vision 2030
Durra.ai strategically supports critical Saudi Vision 2030 objectives:
- Enhanced water efficiency and sustainability
- Strengthened food security via optimized agricultural practices
- Improved economic resilience through increased agricultural productivity
Leadership Team
Durra.ai’s strength lies in its people. Our leadership team combines expertise in digital transformation, AI, agronomy, sustainability, and farmer engagement to deliver measurable impact at scale.
Dr. Abrar Zafar
Digital Transformation & Strategy
Experience: 30+ years leading large-scale digital transformation projects across healthcare, telecom, and government. Expert in building scalable platforms and compliance.
Role: Provides strategic direction, oversees ministry and agency partnerships, ensures platform integrates policy, business, and farmer needs.
Key Expertise: Digital transformation, strategy alignment with Saudi Vision 2030.
Dr. Saad bin Qaisar
AI & IoT Systems
Experience: Specialist in AI and IoT with a track record in real-time monitoring and predictive analytics.
Role: Leads design of core AI engine; combines satellite data, IoT sensors, and weather forecasts into farmer-friendly recommendations.
Key Expertise: Practical and reliable AI for irrigation and predictive analytics.
Denis O’Grady
Large-Scale Agronomy & Irrigation Operations
Experience: 10+ years managing commercial farms in GCC and Europe, including Elite Agro UAE. Deep knowledge of irrigation, soil, and farm operations.
Role: Ensures system is practical and adoptable at scale. Bridges high-tech solutions with daily farm realities.
Key Expertise: Commercial agronomy, irrigation, farm adoption strategies.
Dr. Walter Luyten
Biotech & Sustainability
Experience: Expert in biotechnology, soil health, and circular resource systems.
Role: Expands platform beyond water scheduling to sustainability modules like fertiliser optimisation, nutrient recovery, and soil carbon monitoring.
Key Expertise: Soil & environmental sustainability, Phase 2 national integration.
Why This Mix of Expertise Matters
Durra.ai’s leadership team brings together skills that are rarely found in one project.
- Strategy and digital transformation (Dr. Abrar) — Aligns Durra.ai with Saudi Vision 2030 and national priorities.
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AI and IoT engineering (Dr. Saad) — Builds the intelligence engine that powers real-time recommendations.
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Commercial agronomy (Denis) — Ensures the solution works in real farm conditions and scales across Saudi agriculture.
- Sustainability science (Dr. Walter) — Connects water savings with soil health, nutrient cycles, and environmental resilience.
Together, this mix of expertise covers every layer of Durra.ai’s ambition: immediate farm adoption with visible results, long-term national integration into water systems, and international scaling across MENA and beyond. This balance gives stakeholders confidence that Durra.ai is not just innovative, but executable and sustainable.