Saudi Arabia Turns to Climate-Smart Farming to Tackle Food Security and Climate Risks

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• Saudi Arabia is adopting climate-smart farming techniques to enhance food security amid rising climate risks like drought and extreme heat.
• The country is investing in water-efficient irrigation, drought-resistant crops, and advanced greenhouse technologies to optimize resource use.
• These initiatives aim to reduce reliance on food imports and increase domestic agricultural production sustainably.
• Climate-smart agriculture aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals to diversify its economy and promote environmental sustainability.

Saudi Arabia is shifting focus from oil to food as it seeks to secure harvests in one of the world’s most arid regions.

A new study shows the Kingdom is increasingly turning to Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) to address food security challenges brought on by climate change.

The research, published in Sustainable Futures and led by Wang Li of Inner Mongolia University, reviewed agricultural studies from 2010 to 2023. It found that climate-resilient crop varieties, efficient irrigation systems, and conservation tillage are at the core of Saudi Arabia’s adaptation strategy.

More than half of the studies highlighted the use of resilient crops, while drip and sprinkler irrigation are becoming essential tools in conserving scarce water.

Adoption of CSA is not driven by technology alone. Education, government subsidies, access to modern irrigation, and exposure to risks such as prolonged droughts and sandstorms play a decisive role.

The study stresses the need for policies that support both technical solutions and the social conditions that allow them to succeed.

The implications extend beyond Saudi borders. CSA contributes directly to several UN Sustainable Development Goals, including Zero Hunger, Clean Water and Sanitation, and Climate Action.

Evidence shows the practices can improve yields, strengthen food security, conserve water, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 12 per cent.

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The study also points to opportunities for the energy sector. Demand for energy efficient irrigation technologies and renewable powered farming equipment is expected to grow, opening commercial prospects for clean energy providers.

To accelerate progress, researchers recommend strengthening local training centres, expanding digital support platforms, and integrating CSA more deeply into national agricultural strategies.

These steps, they argue, will be critical for scaling adoption and supporting small and medium-scale farmers.

“Such measures are vital to align the Kingdom’s agricultural transition with its wider sustainability and food security objectives,” Wang Li said.

Saudi Arabia’s move towards climate-smart farming may be quiet, but its lessons could guide other nations struggling with water shortages and rising temperatures.

The country’s agricultural transformation offers a model of how farming can adapt to a warming world while reducing its environmental impact.