In a strategic move aimed at enhancing food security and addressing environmental challenges, the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Engineer Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadhli, signed a joint cooperation agreement today with the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). This agreement aims to accelerate innovation in the agricultural sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and promote environmentally sustainable practices in accordance with the regulations and laws of both parties.
Agreement details and allocated funding
Under this strategic partnership, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture will fund the agreement with up to $5 million. The consulting group is committed to providing the necessary technical support for implementing a range of joint projects and activities. The collaboration focuses primarily on building national institutional and human capacity in vital areas including agricultural innovation, food system development, and ensuring environmental sustainability, within the purview of both the Ministry and the group.
The context of Vision 2030 and the challenges of food security
This agreement comes at a crucial time for the Kingdom, as Saudi Vision 2030 prioritizes food security and water resource sustainability. Due to its geographical location and arid climate, the Kingdom faces natural challenges that necessitate innovative solutions to ensure agricultural sustainability. This underscores the importance of collaborating with established international organizations like CGIAR, which possesses extensive experience in agricultural research focused on water-scarce regions.
Through this step, the ministry seeks to utilize modern technologies to reduce water waste and increase the efficiency of agricultural production, which reflects the government's direction towards the transition from traditional agriculture to smart and sustainable agriculture.
Areas of cooperation: from gene banks to smart irrigation
The agreed areas of cooperation include a wide range of initiatives, most notably:
- Actively contributing to innovation initiatives within the national strategies for the agricultural sector.
- Issuing specialized scientific studies on sustainable water management in the Kingdom.
- Developing a technical roadmap to improve the quality and productivity of agricultural crops.
- Identifying and adopting digital tools that can improve the efficiency of irrigation methods and reduce water consumption.
- Strengthening the capabilities of the “Saudi Plant Gene Bank”, which is a key pillar for preserving the genetic resources of local plants and developing strains resistant to harsh climatic conditions.
Knowledge transfer and localization of global expertise
The agreement is not limited to theoretical aspects but extends to practical and field-based aspects. Its provisions stipulate the provision of international experts and consultants to work within the Kingdom, with the aim of transferring advanced global knowledge and expertise in the fields of agricultural innovation and food security. The agreement also grants access to the Kingdom's research infrastructure and assets, including research facilities and experimental lands for implementing pilot projects, in addition to utilizing the research centers affiliated with the Consulting Group globally.
The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture is working to provide all the necessary facilities to ensure that these projects are implemented with high efficiency and according to specific timetables, which enhances the path of sustainable agricultural development and achieves the Kingdom’s ambitious goals in this vital sector.
