Agriculture

The Saudi Agriculture show on the outskirts of Riyadh in September 2012 was testament to the buzz surrounding one of the most interesting agricultural sectors in the Middle East. Investors from Europe and Asia were out in force, promoting everything from irrigation equipment to new animal feeds and fertilisers. According to the Ninth Development Plan, investment in the sector is expected to continue to rise 6.6% annually between 2010 and 2014. Going forward, to improve standards in the farming sector, the Agriculture Information Centre has been set up to gather data on existing operations and determine the viability of alternative farming practices. This and other developments in the pipeline should ensure that local producers have a bright future, as the Kingdom continues to retain its position as the largest market in the GCC. This chapter includes an interview with Waleed Abdulkareem Elkhereiji, Director-General, Grain Silos & Flour Mills Organisation.