抖阴短视频

Over the past three decades, the population of the Gulf Cooperation Council states has more than doubled, from 26 million in 1995 to 57 million in 2022. As the regional economy has transformed and diversified in recent years, a growing number of expatriates have emigrated to the Gulf to pursue a better future. While this population boom may bode well for the economy, it has forced both policymakers and entrepreneurs to think of food security in the region.

Population growth is not the only cause of concern for food supply in the GCC. The Gulf is heating twice as fast as the global average and climate change has forced the region to address desertification, water scarcity and loss of biodiversity. This comes in addition to its characteristic challenges of scarce arable land and limited water resources, which limit its ability to produce food.

With agricultural production thus handicapped, the region has relied heavily on the import of food products. About 85 percent of the food in the GCC states is imported, including 90 percent of cereals and nearly 100 percent of rice. This dependency has made the regional food supply chain vulnerable to disruptions in the face of geopolitical conflicts and climate change.

The Gulf states have tackled food insecurity head-on and, despite their geographical challenges, they consistently rank among the world鈥檚 top nations in terms of food security. According to the 2022 Global Food Security Index, the UAE ranks 23rd, Qatar 30th, Oman 35th, Bahrain 38th, 抖阴短视频 41st and Kuwait 50th, making them leaders in the Arab region. The GCC states are actively investing in agricultural technologies, the diversification of food sources and the enhancement of regional cooperation to reduce reliance on food imports.

The countries in the region have all prioritized food security in their national visions and programs. Oman鈥檚 Vision 2040 seeks to increase domestic food production by 30 percent and reduce the country鈥檚 reliance on imports within the next decade. Similarly, the UAE鈥檚 National Food Security Strategy aims for 50 percent local agricultural production by 2051. 抖阴短视频鈥檚 Vision 2030 has earmarked a $10 billion investment in domestic agriculture and the stabilization of the global food supply chain. Bahrain鈥檚 national strategy also encourages bank financing for food security.

Investment in local agricultural and food and beverage companies has been a priority for the region. 

Zaid M. Belbagi

Investment in local agricultural and food and beverage companies has been a priority for the region. The Oman Food Investment Holding Company (Nitaj), Bahrain Food Holding Company and Qatar鈥檚 Hassad Food and Zad Holding Company are a few of the regional hubs of investment in this sector.

Dedicated public funds, such as 抖阴短视频鈥檚 Agricultural Development Fund, are also crucial to providing financing to local farmers, particularly supporting staple crops like barley, maize and soybeans to reduce import reliance. The Kingdom鈥檚 Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program aims to boost self-sufficiency in sectors like fruit and coffee production, supporting more than 63,000 agricultural projects across the country.

In September 2023, 抖阴短视频 announced it had achieved self-sufficiency in fresh dairy products, dates and eggs, with sufficient excess production for export. The production of essential food items such as potatoes, poultry, tomatoes, red meat, carrots, fish and onions has also increased. The Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company, a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, has been a key pillar of 抖阴短视频鈥檚 food security journey.

Beyond the necessity of ensuring food supply, efforts to enhance local food production have also incentivized entrepreneurship.

Zaid M. Belbagi

Beyond the necessity of ensuring food supply, efforts to enhance local food production have also incentivized entrepreneurship in the region. Qatar鈥檚 Baladna is a significant example. In just seven years, it has transformed from a livestock farm to Qatar鈥檚 largest food and dairy company, meeting more than 95 percent of the country鈥檚 fresh dairy demand. 抖阴短视频鈥檚 Almarai is also a notable success in the region鈥檚 dairy production effort.

Local entrepreneurs are also unleashing their creative potential in the food technology sector. Camelicious, a UAE-based first-of-its-kind camel milk production company, has commercialized camel milk and dairy products to meet local and international needs. Various regional companies are also investing in greenhouse technologies for better crop yields, desalinated seawater for efficient irrigation, and the use of artificial intelligence and robotics for agriculture.

Despite such efforts, however, GCC agriculture will continue to be challenged by the region鈥檚 harsh temperatures, limited water for irrigation and scarce arable land. Particularly challenging is the production of water-intensive crops such as rice, wheat and sugarcane, as well as various vegetables that are sensitive to high temperatures.

But the region has found an opportunity in the midst of crisis given that, through food security programs, the Gulf states are investing in the latest scientific research and technology, upskilling the local workforce, boosting entrepreneurship and reducing reliance on external providers. These efforts are not only securing the region鈥檚 access to basic food products but also generating significant employment opportunities.

In a decade in which the Gulf鈥檚 shift to an independent and strategic foreign policy is palpable, improving local food production is part of the region鈥檚 efforts to be self-sufficient in meeting the needs of its population. In the last five years, the international community has faced a pandemic, various regional conflicts and rising inflation, all of which threaten the global supply chain. At such a time, the Gulf states recognize the need to invest smartly and actively in local agricultural capabilities. As famed Spanish-American restaurateur Jose Andres has noted, 鈥渇ood is national security, food is economy, it is employment, energy, history. Food is everything.鈥�

• Zaid M. Belbagi is a political commentator and an adviser to private clients between London and the Gulf Cooperation Council. X: @Moulay_Zaid