Saudi Arabia’s Agricultural Transformation: From Desert to Fertile Land

Saudi Arabia, a nation renowned for its vast wealth and status as the world’s largest oil producer, has recently made headlines with significant advancements in agriculture.

Located in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula, Saudi Arabia is characterized by its extensive desert landscapes and shares borders with several countries, including Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Yemen.

Its strategic position at the crossroads of the Middle East, along with access to vital maritime routes via the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf, enhances its significance as a regional powerhouse.

Historically, Saudi Arabia has relied heavily on importing agricultural products.

However, a remarkable transformation has taken place within the nation, allowing it to not only meet its own agricultural needs but also to export agricultural products to other countries.

This shift has astonished nations such as the United States, prompting curiosity about the innovative projects driving this change.

Uncovering Ancient Water Reserves

Water, the lifeblood of agriculture, plays a pivotal role in greening the arid lands of Saudi Arabia.

Beneath the seemingly endless sand dunes lie invaluable resources in the form of ancient river channels and aquifers.

These fossil waters, accumulated over thousands of years during periods of more favorable climates and glacial epochs, are now being tapped to sustain large-scale farming.

Aquifers buried as deep as one kilometer underground provide not only vast reserves of oil but also crucial water sources for agriculture.

Recent studies have revealed that a substantial reservoir of water lies beneath the Saudi desert, measuring approximately 120 cubic miles or 500 cubic kilometers in volume, equivalent to the capacity of Lake Erie in the United States.

However, alarming trends have emerged in recent years, with annual extraction rates reaching up to five cubic miles or 21 cubic kilometers to support agricultural activities.

Unfortunately, the region receives negligible rainfall, rendering natural replenishment virtually nonexistent.

A study conducted by the School of Oriental and African Studies in London in 2004 projected that Saudi Arabia would consume a minimum of 96 cubic kilometers of its aquifers by 2008.

Experts now estimate that approximately four-fifths of the Saudi fossil water has been depleted, threatening one of the planet’s most significant freshwater resources.

Advanced Irrigation Techniques

To effectively utilize its limited water resources, Saudi Arabia has implemented advanced irrigation techniques, with center pivot irrigation emerging as a standout method.

Developed by farmer Frank Zabcik in Colorado, the center pivot method enables efficient water distribution across farmland.

This innovative approach involves circular irrigated fields surrounding a central pivot point, allowing for precise application of water, fertilizers, chemicals, and herbicides.

Compared to traditional flood irrigation, this method significantly reduces water usage and enhances crop yields.

Saudi Arabia has employed center pivot irrigation for over five decades, enabling the cultivation of larger areas of farmland.

This irrigation system offers numerous benefits, including uniform water application across extensive farmland, which reduces the need for manual labor and addresses challenges related to high labor costs.

Additionally, the system is highly efficient in water usage, preventing wasteful runoff and lowering water bills for farmers.

The semi-automatic nature of center pivot irrigation, combined with the lateral movement of sprinklers, facilitates easier management of soil water levels compared to traditional methods.

Achieving an impressive water application efficiency of nearly 80 percent, approximately two-thirds of all irrigated areas in Saudi Arabia utilize center pivot irrigation, demonstrating its widespread adoption and effectiveness.

Expanding Agricultural Capacity

The scale of Saudi Arabia’s agricultural achievements is truly astounding.

In 1961, the nation possessed a mere 11,400 square kilometers of arable land, constituting only 5 percent of its total land area.

However, by 2016, the area of fertile land had expanded nearly three-fold to reach an impressive 35,000 square kilometers, an area larger than countries like Belgium and Armenia.

This transformation involved converting 24,000 square kilometers of desert and infertile land into productive soil, surpassing the size of Slovenia.

Such progress has enabled Saudi Arabia to utilize its limited arable land to produce and even export agricultural products, defying conventional notions of a desert country’s agricultural capabilities.

Addressing Water Depletion and Future Challenges

Despite these remarkable achievements, Saudi Arabia faces formidable challenges related to water depletion in its aquifers due to intensive farming practices.

The rapid increase in irrigated land has placed considerable strain on the country’s water supply, leading to potential shortages.

The extraction rates detailed in the 2004 study projected significant depletion of aquifers if extraction continued at the same rate.

To mitigate these challenges and ensure long-term food security, Saudi Arabia has made strategic investments in agricultural land abroad.

This proactive approach involves acquiring agricultural land in various African countries, positioning Saudi Arabia as one of the leading buyers of foreign agricultural land.

By securing agricultural assets overseas, the nation aims to safeguard its food production capabilities and minimize reliance on dwindling water resources.

The Al-Baida Project

While acquiring foreign land is a practical measure, Saudi Arabia also seeks natural solutions to transform its deserts into fertile agricultural land.

One remarkable example is the Al-Baida project in western Saudi Arabia, which arose from the recognition that overgrazing by livestock leads to desertification.

Historically, the Al-Baida region was home to pastoral nomadic tribes that maintained a delicate balance with nature.

However, urbanization and modernization forced these tribes to settle in one area, resulting in overgrazing and degradation of once-fertile land.

In response to this crisis, two Saudi princesses, along with experts from Stanford University and Harvard University, initiated a development project led by permaculturist Neil Speckman and biologist Mona Hadi.

The project involved constructing terraces, check dams, and shallow ditches to harness rainwater and create streams.

Additionally, bat houses, pigeon houses, and drought-resistant trees were established to mimic the natural ecosystem.

For seven years, the project flourished, transforming the region into a lush savannah.

However, a two-year drought and subsequent funding cuts posed significant challenges, resulting in setbacks for the project.

Fortunately, rain returned in 2018 and 2019, breathing life back into the terraces and dams.

Today, the Al-Baida area stands as a testament to effective water management and showcases the potential to transform deserts into thriving ecosystems.

The success of the Al-Baida project highlights the possibility of scaling up such initiatives across the entire western coast of Saudi Arabia, which spans over 30 million acres or 121,000 square kilometers.

This vast region holds incredible potential for agricultural transformation.

Implementing such a vision would require substantial investments of both time and funds, but the impact could be staggering.

By multiplying the agricultural capacity of Saudi Arabia by at least six times, the nation could witness significant increases in its GDP, ranging from 3 to 5 percent.

Moreover, with increased rainfall and the revival of once-barren soil, large amounts of carbon gases would be trapped, providing a win-win situation for both agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability.

Future Considerations

Despite the success of center pivot irrigation and projects like Al-Baida, Saudi Arabia must address the ongoing challenges of water scarcity and aquifer depletion.

The rapid increase in irrigated land has placed considerable strain on the country’s water supply, leading to potential shortages.

The extraction rates detailed in the 2004 study projected significant depletion of aquifers if current practices continue.

Innovative approaches have been implemented to reverse desertification in regions like Al-Ahsa, where overgrazing and deforestation have caused fertile land to transform into arid desert.

Collaborations with experts from Stanford University and Harvard University have led to the implementation of ancient water conservation techniques, including the construction of rock terraces, check dams, and swales to harvest rainwater.

Planting drought-resistant trees has also been part of these efforts, creating the potential for a green landscape that provides foraging opportunities for bees and animals while improving soil quality through nitrogen fixation.

Saudi Arabia’s transformation from a desert nation to an agricultural powerhouse is a testament to human ingenuity and resilience.

Through innovative irrigation techniques, the harnessing of ancient water reserves, and the exploration of natural solutions, the country has defied expectations and overcome the limitations of its arid climate.

The ongoing efforts to expand agricultural land and ensure sustainable water resources exemplify Saudi Arabia’s commitment to long-term food security and environmental sustainability.

By embracing green energy and advancing agricultural practices, Saudi Arabia is poised to continue its remarkable journey as an agricultural leader, providing valuable lessons and inspiration to arid regions worldwide.

As the nation navigates the challenges of desertification and water scarcity, its innovative approaches could serve as a model for other countries facing similar environmental issues.

In conclusion, Saudi Arabia’s efforts to transform its desert landscapes into fertile agricultural land demonstrate the power of innovation and determination.

The combination of advanced irrigation techniques, strategic investments in foreign agricultural land, and projects like Al-Baida showcases the potential for sustainable agricultural practices in arid regions.

As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change and resource scarcity, Saudi Arabia’s journey serves as an inspiring example of how nations can adapt and thrive in the face of adversity.