Caterer Middle East: Saudi Arabia’s US$10 billion investment to tackle food security

Country: Saudi Arabia
Caterer Middle East: Saudi Arabia’s US$10 billion investment to tackle food security
20 June 2024

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is a transformative agenda aimed at reshaping the Kingdom’s economy, with a central focus on enhancing food security through a comprehensive US$10 billion plan to stabilize the global food supply chain and boost domestic agricultural production. This initiative tackles challenges posed by Saudi Arabia’s arid climate, limited arable land, water scarcity, and heavy dependence on food imports by leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as hydroponics, vertical farming, and precision farming. These innovations optimize water usage, increase productivity, and enable year-round production, even in urban environments. The Saudi Agricultural Development Fund plays a pivotal role by providing substantial loans to local farmers, particularly supporting staple crops like barley, maize, and soybeans to reduce import reliance and ensure a consistent supply of essential commodities. Initiatives like the Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program further enhance self-sufficiency, particularly in fruit and coffee production, benefiting over 63,000 agricultural projects nationwide. Technological advancements in food supply chain management include smart packaging technologies such as Time-Temperature Indicators (TTIs) and advanced cold chain logistics systems driven by IoT and AI, which mitigate spoilage and waste. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags and Near Field Communication (NFC) chips track products from farm to table, ensuring safety and quality, while blockchain technology enhances transparency in food sourcing and safety. Sustainability is core to Saudi Vision 2030’s strategy, promoting practices that reduce water consumption, minimize waste, and support environmental stewardship, stimulating economic growth and job creation within the agricultural sector. Social inclusivity is prioritized through initiatives ensuring access to nutritious food options, fostering public health and consumer trust. Vision 2030 also champions support for national companies like NADEC and Topian, NEOM’s food company, driving innovation in logistics and agriculture to create sustainable and resilient food systems capable of withstanding climate change impacts.

Please find original version of article below:
https://www.caterermiddleeast.com/saudi-arabia/saudi-arabias-us10-billion-investment-to-tackle-food-security

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