Saudi Arabia advancing in food security

 

Saudi Arabia advancing in food security

With the global population surging, securing a stable supply of food and water has emerged as a critical component for ensuring a sustainable future. Saudi Arabia, always at the forefront of change, has placed this challenge at the center of its sustainability initiatives.

Driven by government entities and small to medium-sized enterprises, Saudi Arabia's food security landscape is undergoing significant transformations, with various stakeholders actively contributing.

 

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"Over the past decade, Saudi Arabia has made substantial progress in enhancing its food security," noted Abdulaziz Al-Saud, CEO and co-founder of Barakah, a Saudi enterprise dedicated to reshaping the food security landscape.

Al-Saud emphasized the Kingdom's initiatives aimed at diversifying and localizing food sources, reducing dependence on imports.

"These initiatives involve substantial investments in agri-tech and the acquisition of overseas farmland," he pointed out, highlighting the crucial role of technological adoption in these advancements.

Al-Saud outlined how modern agricultural techniques have been employed to improve local production, reduce water wastage, and enhance efficiency in the agricultural sector.

 

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The significance of these efforts became evident when the Kingdom's General Authority for Statistics reported self-sufficiency in the production of dates, dairy products, and eggs in September. These figures indicated that Saudi Arabia not only meets but surpasses local demand for these three food items, thus having surplus capacity for export.

Al-Saud also underscored the Kingdom's commitment to addressing global food supply challenges, mentioning the Ministry of Environment's recent launch of a $10 billion action plan.

"The Kingdom has also managed to reduce water usage for agricultural purposes by over 40 percent, addressing one of our key challenges - water scarcity," he added.

"In 2022 alone, the agricultural sector witnessed a growth of 7.8 percent compared to the previous year, underscoring the positive impact of our food security strategies," he further highlighted.

Sky Kurtz, CEO and founder of Pure Harvest Smart Farms, a leading UAE-based agri-tech enterprise, shed light on additional Saudi initiatives poised to redefine the future of food security.

"Saudi Arabia has been extremely proactive in advancing food security, employing both offensive and defensive policy measures," Kurtz told Arab News.

"For instance, the Kingdom has imposed and continues to increase import tariffs on various food products to protect domestic producers and enhance their competitiveness in the local market," he added.

 

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Kurtz also pointed to Saudi Arabia's Agricultural Development Fund, which has implemented rigorous initiatives to fuel the sector's growth.

As a significant driver of economic prosperity, technological solutions have played a pivotal role in addressing food security challenges.

Al-Saud explained that Saudi Arabia has made substantial investments in precision agriculture, leveraging data analytics, drones, and the Internet of Things to monitor crop health, manage irrigation, and control pests.

"This has resulted in increased yields and significant resource conservation. The Kingdom's adoption of soil-less farming techniques like hydroponics and aquaponics enables food cultivation in controlled environments, dramatically conserving water and ensuring consistent production regardless of seasonal changes," Al-Saud concluded.

Source: Dunya News TV