The agricultural sector receives direct and indirect support from the government through loans, agricultural land and petroleum derivatives. But despite that, Saudi Arabia imports most of its food from abroad amounting to around 100 billion riyals. Although the Kingdom has made great leaps forward in agricultural production, the type of agricultural production carried out uses technologies that consume huge amounts of ground water. This is a serious threat to water security. It is therefore necessary to re-consider the agricultural development strategy taking into consideration the importance of national food security. Our agricultural technology researchers aim to develop environment-friendly competitive agricultural technologies, and localize and develop them to allow sustainable agricultural development, and protect the food security of the Kingdom. The Saudi agricultural economy continues to provide various food sources via the following: Production of crop breeds of high productivity and quality and of limited water consumption by development of genetic technologies. Development of technologies that contribute to water consumption rationalization in agriculture such as a new design of greenhouses. Working with the concerned bodies to develop agricultural policies which contribute to the best consumption of water in the agricultural sector. Production of barley fodder of high production and quality, and limited water consumption through aqua agricultural technologies and tissue agriculture. To accelerate work on these projects and to obtain quality outputs within a short period, a food security program has been launched for agricultural technologies in desert areas. This program aims to develop agricultural technologies to realize sustainable food security for the Kingdom, and to enhance economic development in collaboration with several government bodies, universities and agricultural companies. On a national level, the strategic plan for the environment satisfies the Kingdom’s vision for the environmental technology program that aims at creating sustainable environmental development by making strategic cooperation and partnerships agreements, leading to developing and localizing various advanced environmental technologies. These include air quality monitoring technologies, greenhouse gas mitigation technologies, wastewater remediation and reuse technologies, ground water treatment technologies, and desertification mitigation technologies. Future environmental technology projects will focus on devising and developing the proper solutions for environmental issues and creating sustainable environmental development through on going and future projects.
