In a significant stride towards modernizing agriculture and enhancing food security, Saudi Arabia and South Korea have joined forces to launch a pioneering smart agriculture complex in Riyadh. The foundation stone for this innovative project was laid by Saudi Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Mansour Al Mushaiti and South Korea’s Vice Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Park Beom-su, marking a new era of cooperation in smart farming.
The smart agriculture complex, nestled within the National Agricultural and Animal Resources Research Center, spans 4,000 square meters and is designed to revolutionize agricultural production. At its heart lies a vertical farm, a cutting-edge system that grows leafy greens, strawberries, and mushrooms using advanced container farming techniques. Accompanying this is a state-of-the-art greenhouse, equipped with the latest Korean agricultural technologies that promise to reduce water consumption, optimize fertilizer use, and boost production.
The project is a testament to South Korea’s technological prowess in agriculture, integrating artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things, and vertical farming to tackle modern agricultural challenges. AI systems will play a pivotal role in regulating water quantities, collecting data, and providing recommendations for suitable crops. This data-driven approach is expected to increase productivity and improve crop quality, benefiting both farmers and consumers.
One of the most innovative aspects of the project is the mobile farming system. This system is anticipated to more than double the production compared to traditional greenhouses, offering a scalable solution to meet growing food demands. Additionally, AI-powered agricultural robots will be deployed for data collection and analysis, streamlining agricultural services and harvesting processes.
Al Mushaiti emphasized that this joint initiative represents a significant turning point in the journey of modern agriculture. It is a result of collaborative efforts aimed at fostering innovation in the agricultural sector, contributing to food security and sustainable development in the Middle East. The project not only highlights Korea’s technological advancements but also sets a benchmark for future agricultural projects in the region.
The smart agriculture complex is more than just a technological marvel; it is a beacon of hope for sustainable agriculture. By enhancing resource efficiency and promoting innovative farming practices, it paves the way for a future where agriculture is not just about producing food, but about doing so in a manner that is sustainable, efficient, and technologically advanced. This project is a step towards achieving food security and sustainable development, setting a precedent for other nations to follow.
