Saudi Arabia has witnessed a remarkable agricultural development over the last three decades, successfully turning large areas of desert into agricultral fields.

 

It is a major accomplishment for an arid country that receives the world’s lowest rainfall of about four inches a year, said a statement.

 

Currently, Saudi Arabia is a leading exporter of a variety of agricultural products including organice products and olives and oil as well as the dairy products, eggs, fish, poultry, fruits, vegetables, and flowers to the markets around the world. 

 

Although the kingdom has a huge desert land, it also boasts of the areas where the climate has favoured agriculture. 

 

The country has taken great strides in developing its agricultural sector by implementing major irrigations projects and adding previously barren areas to its stock of cultivatable land. Today, agriculture makes a substantial contribution to Saudi Arabia's economy. 

 

It is worth mentioning that the city of Jouf is one of the cities that has been developed  for its agricultural nature and has received special concern in planting olives as it has around 12.3 million olive trees and the city of Jouf markets its production internally as well as internationally to some of the European and the Arab countires. 

 

To reduce its dependence on the revenue earned from oil exports as the main source of income and to produce more food for its increasing population with a high standard of living, the KSA has been making intensive efforts, through its five-year development plans, to develop its agricultural sector. 

 

The cultivated land in Saudi Arabia has dramatically increased because of government encouragement and financial aids and the country is presently witnessing an unprecedented exploitation of its agricultural potential. 

 

The introduction of sophisticated technology and modern machinery and cultivation of new crops and different varieties have led to the establishment of the greenhouse industry and large agricultural projects. This has not only improved the kingdom's self-sufficiency but also the export of some products such as wheat, dates, watermelon, poultry, eggs and fresh milk.

 

Under the continued patronage and support of the Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Agriculture, Saudi Agriculture – the Middle East’s largest agriculture exhibition is conducted every year to support the industry by  attracting exhibitors from the Middle East, Europe, the Americas and Asia in addition to local companies who will be displaying the latest agricultural products, services and equipment in the kingdom. 

 

The show’s visitors include high-ranking officials, major manufacturers, dealers, agents and distributors looking to explore partnerships and growth opportunities within the largest and fastest-growing agricultural market in the GCC region.

 

In contribution to the agriculture sector in Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Agriculture exhibition 2015 will be held from October 11 to 14, at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center. Organised by the Riyadh Exhibitions Company, the show will be held concurrently with Saudi Agrofood 2015. - TradeArabia News Service