Saudi Arabia is actively transforming its economy as part of Vision 2030, and food security is integral to this ambitious vision. Food security encompasses access to fresh and canned foods, ensuring that all citizens have access to nutritious and dependable food options.
A comprehensive investment plan
In line with the Food Security Strategy of Vision 2030, the Kingdom has initiated a comprehensive plan worth $10 billion to stabilize the global food supply chain and improve local agricultural production. To attain this objective, we need to address challenges such as dry climate, limited arable land, water scarcity, and heavy reliance on food imports by leveraging advanced technologies across the entire food supply chain to ensure the availability of varied and sustainable food.
Advanced agricultural technology
The Kingdom is adopting advanced agricultural techniques such as hydroponics and vertical farming to increase efficiency and productivity in food production. These technologies reduce water consumption and increase productivity, critical steps towards achieving self-sufficiency. The Agricultural Development Fund plays a vital role by supporting local farmers with large loans, focusing on staple crops such as barley, corn, and soybeans. This contributes to reducing dependence on imports and ensuring the availability of basic supplies.
Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development Programme
Other initiatives include the Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development Programme, which promotes self-sufficiency in fruit and coffee production and supports more than 63,000 agricultural projects across the Kingdom. Precision agriculture provides powerful tools to address challenges and enhance food security in Saudi Arabia. This agriculture leverages data analysis and sensors to optimize water use and monitor soil health, sustainably increasing crop yields.
Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development Programme
Other initiatives include the Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development Programme, which promotes self-sufficiency in fruit and coffee production and supports more than 63,000 agricultural projects across the Kingdom. Precision agriculture provides powerful tools to address challenges and enhance food security in Saudi Arabia. This agriculture leverages data analysis and sensors to optimize water use and monitor soil health, sustainably increasing crop yields.
Food supply chain management
Managing the food supply chain efficiently is crucial to Saudi Vision 2030. Technology provides powerful tools to address challenges and enhance the Kingdom's food security, safety, and transparency. Smart packaging technologies such as time and temperature indicators (TTIs) provide real-time updates on product status. At the same time, advanced IoT and AI-based logistics systems monitor and manage temperatures across the supply chain, reducing waste and spoilage.
Sustainability
Sustainability occupies a central place in food security initiatives within Vision 2030. Sustainable practices include reducing water consumption and waste, which contribute to the preservation of vital resources such as land and water and stimulate economic growth and job creation in the agricultural sector. The vision also focuses on empowering the community by ensuring transparency about food sources, nutritional values, and potential allergenic ingredients, which enhances trust and informed choices among consumers.
Support local businesses
Vision 2030 encourages support for national companies that drive innovation in logistics and agriculture. These efforts include supporting companies like NADEC in sustainable dairy production and innovative food companies like Topian, which is improving food systems to address the impacts of climate change using science and technology.
Conclusion
Saudi Vision 2030 aims to create a sustainable future by incorporating modern technologies into the agricultural sector. These initiatives are based on comprehensive and integrated strategies to improve food security, bolster the economy, and safeguard public health.
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