Environment & Energy | Wednesday 10 October, 2018 1:00 am |

New developments in the Saudi agriculture industry draw the interest of foreign investors, the second day of the three-day ‘Saudi Agriculture Exhibition 2018’ at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center showed. The exhibition winds up today (Wednesday).

The event witnesses the participation of global leaders coming from more than 33 countries, while also exploring investment opportunities in the Saudi agriculture sector. 

New batch of agreements were concluded at the ongoing show which was inaugurated by Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Eng. Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al Fadley on Monday.

The National Center for Palm and Dates has revealed that it has now reached over 4,000 local free outlets and around 1,400 international free outlets. The announcement complements their continuing efforts to become a premier exporter of dates through a reliable trademark known for its quality and safety –facilitating the marketing and e-marketing of Saudi dates on both the local and global fronts. 

Now on its 37th year, the Saudi Agriculture Exhibition, which is also known as the International Exhibition for Agriculture, Water and Agro-Industries, continues to attract international and regional visitors looking to explore emerging trends and developments in the Saudi agricultural sector, with unlimited government support to stimulate agricultural investment. 

Mohammad Al Al-Sheikh, Head of Marketing, Riyadh Exhibition Company, expressed his happiness about the big participation seen during the inauguration of Saudi Agriculture Exhibition 2018. He praised the unlimited support of the Saudi government for the success of the exhibition, which serves the government›s direction towards revitalizing the agricultural sector to achieve sustainable food security. He pointed out this year’s edition has attracted thousands of visitors from inside and outside the Kingdom to learn about new developments within the local agricultural sector, which has promising prospects and is expected to help accelerate the growth of livestock, fisheries and agriculture sectors, in line with the ‘Sustainable Agricultural Rural Area Development Program.’

King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) recently handed out a study along with the presentation of certificates to 10 companies for the Saudi Dates brand and 15 other companies for its fish project. KFUPM also signed an initiative with King Faisal University to develop agriculture practices aimed at enhancing the productivity of fruits, dates and field crops for four years.

During his presence at the show, Minister Al Fadley, along with several senior officials, were given a tour of the exhibition area to check on the latest technologies, machines, solutions and services from local and international exhibitors. The event aims to serve as a strategic platform to promote the agricultural sector, falling in line with the directives to enhance sustainable agriculture and rural area development-opening new opportunities for employment, food security and balanced development.

Saudi Agriculture Exhibition 2018 focuses on organic farming, fish farming and agriculture as a key component of sustainable food security.