Agriculture Policy in Saudi Arabia Essay Example

These desalinization plants have been put up to produce fresh water from the sea for industrial and urban use hence freeing up other sources of water for agricultural purposes. Dams have also been set up to trap seasonal floods. Agricultural research stations have also been set up by the government to aid the farmers figure out ways to adopt and improve their farming methods into the harsh desert climate (Daryll E Ray 2005).Apart from the ministry of agriculture other government agencies like the Saudi Arabian Agricultural Bank (SAAB), grants interest-free loans, disburse subsidies. The grain silos and flour mills organization that buys and store wheat, delays in the construction of quality flour mills and also the production of animal feeds. These organizations also partner with the government to offer land reclamation and distribution programs and also the funding of agricultural research projects.The private sector has also come in and partnered with the government of Saudi Arabia to play in a big role in the offering of long-term interest free loans, free seeds and fertilizer, technical and support services to the farmers, low cost fuel, electricity and water and the duty free imports of raw materials and machinery.The developments seen in Saudi Arabia are mind blowing considering that one-third of its area is the world’s largest sand desert recording an average rainfall of four inches. These deserts have been transformed into large agricultural fields leading to a phenomenal growth in production of all basic foods and making Saudi Arabia self-sufficient in all the major foodstuffs. The state now exports its products such as wheat, dates, watermelon, poultry, fresh eggs, and milk. They produce cereals like barley, sorghum, barley, wheat and millet and in the regions where there is an abundance of water resources tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes, cucumbers, and onions are grown.However, the process in not without challenges, with the issue of water being the most serious.