SABIC Introduces ‘Smart’ Techniques to Increase Farmer Productivity

SABIC Introduces ‘Smart’ Techniques to Increase Farmer Productivity
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SABIC Introduces ‘Smart’ Techniques to Increase Farmer Productivity

SABIC Introduces ‘Smart’ Techniques to Increase Farmer Productivity

Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) has introduced a series of smart techniques and practices that help farmers enhance efficiency, production and profits.

This presentation was made during the company's participation in the 25th Arab Fertilizer Forum and Exhibition that concluded in Cairo on Thursday.

SABIC showcased the pioneering researches at its subsidy Estidamah Agricultural Research Center in Riyadh, established in 2008. Raddy Alfaridi, Director of Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs at the center, presented a lecture on Estidamah researches regarding the efficiency of water usage in modern agricultural greenhouses.

This falls in line with the center’s efforts in increasing production to promote food security in the Kingdom through its research on conditions most suitable for crops.

The company also shed light on its guiding agricultural convoy in which more than 7,000 farmers from around 120 sites in the MENA region took part last year.

This event was launched end of 2018 in cooperation with the Arab Fertilizer Association, the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and relevant departments to enrich the technical knowledge of farmers.

Engineer Samir Al-Abdrabbuh, Agri-Nutrients Executive Vice President, affirmed that SABIC has been working for the past 25 years with the Arab Fertilizer Association and its farmer members to face modern agricultural challenges and to enhance the food supplies in MENA and the world.

Abdrabbuh noted that the company’s scientists continue to develop innovative solutions to increase crops.

He added that SABIC’s contributions are not restricted to lab experiments but extend to the exchange of expertise.

SABIC dedicates time and efforts for visiting fields, communicating with farmers and helping them acquire the required skills and benefit from the company’s solutions, said Abdrabbuh.

The 25th Arab Fertilizer Forum and Exhibition saw the attendance of more than 500 officials from 130 organizations from 30 states.



Russia’s Inflation Reaches 9.5% This Year, Weekly Data Shows

 Pedestrians walk to an underground passage at Manezhnaya Square decorated for Christmas and the New Year festivities with the Historical Museum and the Kremlin Wall in the background in Moscow, Russia, Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. (AP)
Pedestrians walk to an underground passage at Manezhnaya Square decorated for Christmas and the New Year festivities with the Historical Museum and the Kremlin Wall in the background in Moscow, Russia, Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. (AP)
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Russia’s Inflation Reaches 9.5% This Year, Weekly Data Shows

 Pedestrians walk to an underground passage at Manezhnaya Square decorated for Christmas and the New Year festivities with the Historical Museum and the Kremlin Wall in the background in Moscow, Russia, Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. (AP)
Pedestrians walk to an underground passage at Manezhnaya Square decorated for Christmas and the New Year festivities with the Historical Museum and the Kremlin Wall in the background in Moscow, Russia, Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. (AP)

Russia's inflation has reached 9.5% this year, according to new weekly data showing that the consumer price index rose by 0.33% in the week leading up to Dec. 23, the statistical agency Rosstat reported on Wednesday.

This data follows the central bank's unexpected decision last week to maintain its key interest rate at 21%. The regulator said recent tightening has created conditions conducive to reducing inflation towards its target of 4%.

The agency indicated that seasonally volatile prices for fruit and vegetables contributed significantly to the overall increase, with cucumber prices rising by 8.3% and tomato prices by 1.9% in just one week.

Among less seasonally sensitive foods, the price of eggs increased by 1.7%, and frozen fish by 1.4%. The central bank had initially estimated this year's inflation at a maximum of 8.5%.

The central bank's monetary policy department's head Andrei Gangan told the Interfax news agency on Dec. 24 that full-year inflation will be between 9.6% and 9.8%.

Inflationary expectations among households for the coming year also reached 13.9% in December, the highest level since the beginning of the year.

In a report on its inflationary expectations survey, the central bank said respondents were most concerned about rising prices for milk, dairy products, eggs, meat, and fish.

It also said respondents have begun to notice increases in the prices of home appliances and electronic devices.