The Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has unveiled its future plans to enhance agricultural production efficiency and bolster food security in the Kingdom.
The reveal coincided with the holding of the inaugural InFlavour 2023, Saudi Arabia’s biggest F&B event in terms of both gross square-meters and global prestige.
The three-day event at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center, Malham, is expected to leave a major economic impact not only across the region, but also globally.
As for the ministry’s plans for boosting agricultural production efficiency, they include reducing water waste and prohibiting the cultivation of water-depleting crops, such as fodder.
Faisal Al-Dakhil, a spokesperson for the ministry, emphasized that InFlavour 2023 aims to attract both foreign and domestic investments to foster agricultural and food production in Saudi Arabia.
Products will be exported to the rest of the world through the intensification of regional and international innovation and technological solutions.
Al-Dakhil commended initiatives launched by Saudi Arabia to curb food waste in the Kingdom.
According to the spokesperson, these plans have reduced food waste in the Kingdom by 30%.
Saudi companies, both public and private, have invested in over 27 countries to secure food supplies, resulting in a 10% increase in agricultural production.
Al-Dakhil noted that the Kingdom achieved food self-sufficiency, as evidenced during the coronavirus pandemic when many countries faced shortages of food supplies and commodities.
He also highlighted the ministry’s launch of sustainable agriculture programs, emphasizing the significant achievements they have brought about.
Al-Dakhil acknowledged that agricultural marketing remains one of the major challenges that relevant authorities are working to find solutions for.
Some programs have been introduced to promote maximizing benefits between producers and consumers. This has led to the creation of several successful partnerships, encouraging sector investors to increase their production while maintaining quality.
