Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, Eng. Abdulrahman Alfadley, spoke at the G20 Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting in Brazilia about the country’s efforts to boost investments in the agricultural sector. He noted that these efforts have led to a 35 percent increase in GDP in the sector. Alfadley emphasized the importance of smallholder and indigenous communities in creating a sustainable food system and highlighted the need to provide farmers with necessary support and resources. He also stressed the integration of fisheries and aquaculture in agricultural value chains.
The minister discussed Saudi Arabia’s Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program, which focuses on empowering smallholders and rural communities. This program helps farmers increase their productivity and add value to their produce and rural activities. Alfadley mentioned that the program has positively impacted over 120,000 beneficiaries and highlighted the role of the fisheries sector in creating income and ensuring food security. Saudi Arabia has made significant progress in increasing local production in the aquaculture sector, meeting around 60 percent of the country’s consumption needs.
Alfadley also addressed the issue of drought and emphasized the importance of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification in addressing contemporary challenges and planning for a sustainable future. He invited attendees to join COP16, scheduled to be held in Riyadh in December 2024. The minister’s speech highlighted Saudi Arabia’s commitment to sustainable agricultural development and the country’s efforts to empower smallholders and rural communities to contribute to economic growth and food security.
The Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program launched by Saudi Arabia aims to build the capacity of smallholders and family farms to increase their production and add value to their rural activities. This program provides financing, agricultural extension services, and essential inputs to empower farmers and strengthen rural communities. With a focus on boosting productivity and empowering smallholders, the program has already made a positive impact on over 120,000 beneficiaries, helping them increase their production and contribute to the country’s agricultural sector.
Saudi Arabia’s efforts to transform the aquaculture sector by attracting investments and increasing local production have been successful, with the country producing over 190,000 tons of fisheries and aquaculture to meet domestic consumption needs. The fisheries sector plays a vital role in ensuring food security and creating income for the country. The minister highlighted the importance of integrating fisheries and aquaculture in agricultural value chains to promote sustainable agricultural development and support the country’s economic growth.
In conclusion, Minister Abdulrahman Alfadley’s speech at the G20 Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting in Brazilia underscored Saudi Arabia’s commitment to sustainable agricultural development and the empowerment of smallholders and rural communities. The country’s efforts to encourage investments in the agricultural sector and integrate fisheries and aquaculture in value chains have led to significant increases in GDP and local production. With programs like the Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program, Saudi Arabia is working to empower farmers, boost productivity, and strengthen rural communities to contribute to economic growth and food security. The minister’s invitation to join COP16 in Riyadh in December 2024 highlights the country’s commitment to addressing contemporary challenges and planning for a sustainable future in the agricultural sector.
