Saudi Arabia: Why urban farming is the need of the hour in the pandemic era
Urban agriculture not only provides food, which is important; it also entails food security that enhances the national security of a country.
Dr. Turki Faisal Al-Rasheed
The writer is an adjunct professor at the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, University of Arizona.
The Arab News
January 11, 2022
Excerpt:
Saudi Arabia is no exception: The leadership has allocated SR100 million ($27 million) to develop and localize vertical farming technologies.
The crucial importance of urban agriculture emanated from the Saudi leadership, spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, launching a development strategy to transform the city of Riyadh into one of the top 10 leading economies in the world; currently, Riyadh ranks 40th.
Leading the Riyadh city implementation strategy is the Royal Commission for Riyadh (RCRC), by monitoring and measuring more than 50 performance indicators, based on benchmarks from the world’s leading cities.
The paradigm shift encompasses the pillars of Saudi Vision 2030: A vibrant society, a thriving economy and an ambitious nation, to achieve a sustainable economic, social and environmental society.
Under the Riyadh city development strategy, by 2030 the anticipated population will double from the current 7.5 million to 15 to 20 million inhabitants, and there is expected to be an increase in the number of visitors to 40 million.
