Saudi Arabia: NEOM-KAUST collaboration to help stave off pests targeting palm trees

 

Saudi Arabia's NEOM joins hands with KAUST in pest management  

In Saudi Arabia, extreme heat is a familiar challenge, but it also exacerbates pest problems. Insects like Tephriditae fruit flies and the red palm weevil pose significant threats to the nation's plant and fruit supply, particularly targeting the country's 36 million palm trees.

According to research by Topian, NEOM’s food company, the $2.4 billion date industry incurs an annual loss of SR1 billion due to red palm weevil infestations.

Innovative Technology for Early Detection

At the Saudi Agrifood Tech Alliance launch in Riyadh, Andrew Yip, head of innovation at Topian, announced a partnership with AK-Sens, a King Abdullah University of Science and Technology start-up, to develop and commercialize optical fiber sensing technology. This technology aims for early detection of red palm weevils, capable of scanning thousands of trees within an hour.

 

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Key Highlights:

• The partnership focuses on creating technology to combat red palm weevils.
• It plans to scale up optical fiber sensing technology for rapid and early-stage insect detection.
• Initial trials in NEOM showed 96.3% accuracy, significantly reducing setup time.

Potential Benefits:

• Increased efficiency and sustainability in the agrifood sector.
• Expanded use of technology beyond palm trees.

Health Risks from Pest-Infested Fruits

Dr. Basem Al-Bahrani from Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare emphasized the health risks of consuming contaminated fruits and vegetables. These risks include food poisoning from bacteria like salmonella and E. coli, parasitic infections, and issues from pesticide residues, such as hormonal imbalances and nervous system disorders.

 

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Challenges and Solutions in Pest Management

Salman Al-Wahib, a seasoned farmer and owner of a plant tissue culture laboratory, noted that summer conditions favor pest proliferation. He highlighted the need for rigorous sanitation and inspection procedures to prevent infestations, especially from imported seeds and soil.

The Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture enforces strict guidelines to ensure the use of safe pesticides and adherence to the Pesticide Law, aiming to minimize health risks and environmental harm. Certification is granted to crops free of harmful chemicals, ensuring they are safe for consumption.

Future Directions:

• Continued development of organic pesticides.
• Enhanced washing and storage practices.
• Purchasing from certified local markets to ensure safety and quality.

Efforts like the NEOM-KAUST partnership and innovative pest management strategies aim to mitigate the SR1 billion loss and protect Saudi Arabia's vital date industry.

Source: Arab News