Saudi Arabia water crisis: how do they handle sustainable agriculture and water management?
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries—Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain—face some of the most severe water challenges in the world. These nations are situated in one of the most arid regions on Earth, where natural water resources are limited, and the threat of desertification looms large. Simone Landhuis, Agricultural Counselor for this region at the Dutch Embassy in Saudi Arabia, works on navigating these complexities with innovative solutions on sustainable agriculture and water management.
"In the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, we face significant water challenges. The climate is exceptionally dry, and natural water resources are scarce. Salinization is a growing problem across the region," Landhuis begins.
Saudi Arabia, the largest country in the region, is hit particularly hard. "It is one of the driest countries in the world with limited water resources due to overexploitation. The demand for water is incredibly high due to the growing population, industry, and agriculture. In fact, water consumption in Saudi Arabia ranks among the highest in the world. Overexploitation of groundwater has led to a situation where there's almost no water left, and soil salinization has become a serious concern."
"Despite only 1% of the land being suitable for agriculture, Saudi Arabia is the largest food producer in the region, particularly poultry and dairy as well as horticulture, aquaculture and dates. Agriculture accounts for 88% of the country’s total freshwater usage. Drinking water primarily comes from energy-intensive desalination plants, making Saudi Arabia one of the largest producers of desalinated seawater. However, this method isn’t very sustainable, not only due to the brine waste that desalinization produces, but also because it relies heavily on fossil fuels. The severity of the water crisis here is almost unimaginable, unless you can witness it firsthand."
“With significant water scarcity already, competition for water resources between municipalities, industry, and agriculture is inevitable.”
Advocating for more efficient water use
The Netherlands has emerged as a key partner in the GCC’s efforts to address its water and agricultural challenges. "Our focus naturally aligns with the policy priorities of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN), and we seek areas of overlap with the GCC countries' agendas. Food security, soil, and water issues are high on the political agenda across the GCC. Within this framework, we emphasize promoting sustainable climate smart agriculture," Landhuis explains.
Given the enormous water consumption in the agriculture sector, Landhuis together with her team is advocating for more efficient water use in the region. "Efficient water use in agriculture is absolutely crucial. The region is facing rapid population growth, economic expansion, and a push for greater food self-sufficiency. Currently, GCC countries rely on imports for more than 80% of their food. This means that the demand for water will only increase in the coming decades. With significant water scarcity already, competition for water resources between municipalities, industry, and agriculture is inevitable. As agriculture is the largest consumer of water, efficiency must improve, especially considering that a lot of the water is currently wasted due to outdated irrigation techniques and the cultivation of water-intensive crops."
Incorporating Dutch expertise in the region
Dutch technology and expertise are central to these efficiency improvements. "There’s a strong awareness in the region that the current situation is unsustainable," according to Landhuis. "Over recent years, particularly in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, we’ve seen the construction of large-scale closed greenhouse systems and a growing interest in vertical farming. To give you an idea, the water used for producing one kilogram of tomatoes in a high-tech greenhouse is about 5 liters, compared to over 200 liters in many traditional systems. Much of this technology and knowledge comes from the Netherlands, particularly from Wageningen University & Research (WUR).”
In addition to greenhouse technology, Landhuis, in collaboration with Dutch companies, is contributing to both medium-term and long-term climate adaptation strategies, including more sustainable desalination techniques, saline agriculture, improved irrigation methods, and the use of more suitable seed materials. These adaptation efforts are critical as the GCC countries seek to balance their agricultural ambitions with the realities of water scarcity now and possibly increasing challenges in the future.
Saudi Arabia's ambitious greening strategy
One of the most groundbreaking and ambitious environmental projects in the world is Saudi Arabia’s greening strategy. “The aim of the greening strategy is to plant 600 million trees by 2030 under the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI). It is not just about increasing green cover, but also about enhancing biodiversity, restoring natural habitats, and improving the quality of life for people in the Kingdom. Given the environmental challenges in the Gulf, particularly the scarcity of water and the threat of desertification, this initiative is critical for the region's long-term future. Restoring natural areas is crucial for retaining water, maintaining healthy soils, and ultimately supporting sustainable agriculture," Landhuis explains.
Dutch expertise is playing a significant role in this ambitious project. "The Netherlands is contributing in several key areas, aligning our international work to concepts being developed in our national action program for climate adaptation in agriculture. Internationally, we draw from our years of expertise in landscape architecture, irrigation, and horticulture. Dutch companies are already involved in the transition thinking of long-term greening of Riyadh, collaborating with local nurseries and greenhouses. These companies are applying advanced water-saving techniques, crucial for a project of this magnitude where water scarcity is a major concern. For example, the project avoids using natural water sources or desalinated water. Instead, it relies on treated wastewater, which is more sustainable and appropriate for the region’s needs."
One of the flagship projects within this initiative is the construction of King Salman Park in Riyadh. "Yes, the construction of King Salman Park is another major component of Saudi Arabia’s greening strategy. When completed, it will be the largest urban park in the world, scheduled for completion by 2030. Dutch expertise in landscape design and horticulture is already playing a crucial role in this project. The park is more than just a green space; it’s intended to be a symbol of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to sustainability now and in the future and improving the quality of life in its cities."
“Saudi Arabia aims to take a leading role in global water sustainability, with plans to establish a Global Water Organization.”
Working towards global leadership in water sustainability
Saudi Arabia’s environmental ambitions extend beyond its borders. The Kingdom aims to take a leading role in global water sustainability, with plans to establish a Global Water Organization. This initiative is designed to tackle water supply challenges and foster international collaboration among countries facing similar issues.
Landhuis states that, “The Saudi Prime Minister, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has expressed a desire for the Netherlands to join as a founding member. This is a natural fit given our country's long-standing expertise in agriculture and water management. The formal announcement of this Global Water Organization is expected at the COP16 of the Rio Convention on Desertification and Land Degradation in December 2024. This initiative represents a significant step for Saudi Arabia as it seeks to position itself as a leader in global environmental sustainability.”
More information and contact
For more information, you can visit the page of the GCC on the website Agroberichtenbuitenland.nl of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature. You can also send an e-mail to the agricultural team at the Dutch Embassy in Riyadh: riy-lnv@minbuza.nl.
This article is part of the 12th edition of the e-magazine Agrospecial titled "Tackling agricultural water challenges worldwide" (originally published on August 23, 2024).
In this Agrospecial, the Netherlands Agricultural Network (LAN) showcases the opportunities and challenges associated with water management. The Agricultural Counselors in Côte d’Ivoire, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, and Vietnam introduce us to their related work, provide insights into what is happening in their respective countries, and highlight examples of how LAN is tackling water challenges through international collaboration.