5 agricultural and investment projects to enhance food security in Saudi Arabia
A strategic initiative towards self-sufficiency
In a strategic move aimed at achieving sustainable development, the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture announced the launch of five high-quality agricultural and investment projects through the “Furas” platform. These vital projects are located in four key regions: Al-Baha, Al-Qassim, Najran, and Hail. This initiative comes as part of ongoing efforts to enhance food security in Saudi Arabia, achieve higher levels of self-sufficiency, and support agricultural and environmental activities in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
Historical context and Saudi Vision 2030
Historically, Saudi Arabia has faced geographical and climatic challenges, including a scarcity of arable water and vast desert areas. However, the wise leadership recognized the importance of the agricultural sector as a cornerstone of national security. Since the launch of Vision 2030, the focus has shifted towards sustainable agriculture, the use of modern irrigation technologies, and leveraging the comparative advantages of each geographical region. This strategic approach extends beyond simply ensuring food security; it also encompasses preserving vegetation cover, combating desertification, and developing ecotourism and rural tourism to guarantee the sustainability of resources for future generations.
Project details in Al-Baha and Al-Qassim
In more detail, the Ministry announced two investment opportunities in the Al-Baha region. The first involves establishing the “Ran National Park” in Baljurashi Governorate, covering an area of approximately 403,635 square meters. This project aims to support environmental and tourism activities and preserve the vegetation in the region, which is characterized by its stunning mountainous landscape. The second opportunity in Al-Baha is for planting banana trees in Al-Hujrah Governorate, covering an area of 530,128 square meters, to increase local production of tropical fruits that thrive in that environment. The deadlines for submitting applications for these two opportunities, respectively, are June 2nd and 3rd, 2026.
In the Qassim region, considered the Kingdom's breadbasket, the Ministry announced a major environmental project to establish the "Western Hasana Park" (Phase One) in the Buraidah Governorate. Spanning a vast area of 6 million square meters, this project will create a large natural green space that will contribute to improving the quality of life. The deadline for applications is June 3rd.
Supporting coffee cultivation and livestock in Najran and Hail
In a move reflecting the focus on high-value crops, the initiative includes allocating 273,621 square meters for the establishment of a model coffee nursery in the Najran region. This strategic step complements the Kingdom's efforts to support the cultivation of Saudi (Kholani) coffee, which enjoys increasing local and international demand, thus directly contributing to food security and diversifying income sources. Applications for this opportunity close on June 2nd.
The fifth opportunity was allocated to supporting the livestock sector through an integrated project for breeding, fattening, and producing red meat in Al-Lubaidi Governorate in the Hail region. The project will be built on a vast area of 4 million square meters, with a completion deadline of June 2nd. This project will play a pivotal role in meeting the growing local demand for meat and reducing reliance on imports.
Economic importance and expected impact
The importance of these projects extends beyond the local level to encompass regional and international impacts. Locally, these investments will contribute to creating thousands of direct and indirect job opportunities for residents of the targeted areas and will bolster rural development. Regionally, the Kingdom reaffirms its leadership in developing agricultural solutions adapted to arid climates, making it a model of sustainability in the Middle East.
In conclusion, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture called on all investors and entrepreneurs to compete for these promising opportunities through the “Opportunities” platform, stressing the need to carefully review the terms and specifications to ensure that projects are implemented with the highest quality standards, and to achieve the national objectives of self-sufficiency in meat and agricultural crops, and to support the national economy.
