InFlavour expo in Riyadh tackles agricultural sustainability and food security 

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Triska Hamid, the editorial director at Wamda, a Middle East and North Africa region-focused entrepreneurship platform. (AN photo by Abdulrahman Bin Shalhoub)
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Updated 29 October 2023
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InFlavour expo in Riyadh tackles agricultural sustainability and food security 

  • Technological innovation key to sustainability and profit, notes Saudi deputy minister

RIYADH: InFlavour, the Saudi government’s official trade event for the global food and beverage ecosystem, is taking place at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center from Oct. 29 to 31.

The global food system has faced challenges due to climate change, population growth, resource depletion, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under the theme of “Ensuring Abundant Tomorrows,” the event will cover expanding culinary offerings, embracing alternative proteins, cleaner components, and the essence of sustainability.

Triska Hamid, the editorial director at Wamda, a Middle East and North Africa region-focused entrepreneurship platform, said that investment in food tech soared to over $1 billion in 2021.

According to Hamid: “The food sector remains one of the more exciting sectors for investors in the region, and although this has inevitably slowed down given the current economic climate around the world … last year, food tech startups raised $514 million across the MENA region.”

She added that so far in 2023, the sector has managed to attract over $200 million.

Private capital, including institutional and impact investors, can support innovative solutions addressing food insecurity’s root causes.

By leveraging their resources and expertise, investors can transform the food system and enhance food security for all.

Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Malik, deputy minister of research and innovation at the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, discussed research innovation initiatives by the ministry that have contributed to sustainable food production and community development.

During a panel discussion on “Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Food Production: Bridging Technology and Local Communities,” he said: “The agriculture sector itself has gone through a tremendous transformation in the last eight years, with its contribution to GDP surpassing SR100 million ($26.6 million).”

Al-Malik added that the next leap forward will be fueled by innovation.

“From the other side, local communities usually aspire to have a profitable yet sustainable business,” he explained and noted that technological innovation was key to achieving both.

The current challenges to food security have highlighted the need for a sustainable and equitable food system.

Al-Malik said that an example could be by adopting precision agricultural practices to maximize the output of local farmers and communities and minimize the impact on the environment.

“Another example would be smart irrigation systems, which optimize water use, which is a very scarce resource, especially in our country,” he noted.

He said the caveat is that these solutions must be holistic — they need to be championed and embraced by the users by ensuring that local communities benefit from context specific innovation.

He emphasized the need for effective solutions, saying: “Such innovations should not be done in isolation from the end users, as we need to tailor the solutions themselves to the specific needs and challenges of the local communities and partners.”

CEO of PepsiCo Middle East Aamer Sheikh said that Saudi Arabia poses a unique challenge, with 90 percent of the land not suitable for agriculture due to the country’s mainly desert terrain.

He said that PepsiCo is an agriculture company despite being known as just food and beverage. “We source 25 crops across 60 countries with about 7 million acres of land under our stewardship,” he said.

Sheikh added that when PepsiCo brings its global best practices to a country like Saudi Arabia, it is about localizing the value chain or agriculture.

“PepsiCo’s global positive strategy is our enterprise sustainability strategy at the core of our business. The first pillar is positive agriculture, which is all about how we source crops and ingredients while accelerating regenerative practices and strengthening the farming community,” he added.

Another pillar, he said, is the positive value chain, which focuses on making products, by leveraging inclusive and the circular economy.

“The last pillar is positive choices, where you bring the power of your brands to enable consumers to make the right choices that are good for them and the planet,” said Sheikh.

To bolster its sustainable practices in the Middle East and ensure community engagement, PepsiCo sources 100 percent of its potatoes from Saudi Arabia.

“We are working with our farming partners, where we spend more than SR100 million ($26.6 million) annually.”

He said that they have created more than 3,000 jobs in the agricultural sector.

“We are also working with them to conserve the amount of water that we use in this, and so for in the last 10 years, we’ve reduced our water consumption by 45 percent.”

According to the General Food Security Authority, both 18.9 percent of food in Saudi Arabia is wasted and 14.2 percent are lost annually.

These percentages equate to 4 million tons, including dates, potatoes, tomatoes, rice, flour and bread.


Saudi Arabia condemns Iranian strikes on targets in Qatar

Updated 10 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia condemns Iranian strikes on targets in Qatar

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Monday condemned strikes launched by Iran on targets in Qatar, a foreign ministry statement said.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia condemns and denounces in the strongest terms the aggression launched by Iran against the sisterly State of Qatar, which constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and the principles of good neighborliness,” the statement said. 

“It is unacceptable and cannot be justified under any circumstances,” it added.


Iranian consul general commends Saudi Arabia for smooth pilgrim departure

Updated 23 June 2025
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Iranian consul general commends Saudi Arabia for smooth pilgrim departure

  • Smooth procedures reflect the care for pilgrims by the Kingdom and its leadership
  • Services provided to Iranian pilgrims confirm the Kingdom’s consistent respect for all nations

RIYADH: Consul General of Iran in Jeddah Hassan Zarnegar praised the organization and facilities provided to Iranian pilgrims during their departure via Arar airport and the Jadidat Arar border crossing in the Northern Borders region.

He said the smooth procedures reflect the care for pilgrims by the Kingdom and its leadership, and demonstrate attention to pilgrims from all countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

Zarnegar added: “The streamlined procedures — from disembarkation and swift passport processing to organized bus transfers — reflect efficient pilgrim management.”

He said that the services provided to Iranian pilgrims confirm the Kingdom’s consistent respect for all nations.

He added that Saudi-Iranian relations are rooted in religious and neighborly ties, and the care shown to Iranian pilgrims reflects this spirit of brotherhood.

On behalf of himself and the Iranian ambassador, Zarnegar expressed gratitude to the Saudi leadership for their care and support, provided as part of an integrated system.

Meanwhile, Director General of the Border Guards Maj. Gen. Shaya Al-Wadaani inspected the work of personnel at the Jadidat Arar border crossing and monitored services supporting pilgrims’ departure after Hajj.

Al-Wadaani reviewed the procedures facilitating Iranian pilgrims’ exit, following directives from King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to ensure proper services and support.

He confirmed that the Border Guard has mobilized all resources, in coordination with relevant authorities, to deliver the best services and ensure a smooth departure process.


Hazaa plant flourishes in Saudi Arabia’s northern deserts

Updated 23 June 2025
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Hazaa plant flourishes in Saudi Arabia’s northern deserts

  • Due to its ability to handle high levels of drought and salinity, Hazaa has proved its ability to survive in difficult climatic conditions
  • Plant is known for its captivating aroma, and reaches a height of approximately 35 centimeters

RIYADH: Despite the harsh desert climate in Saudi Arabia’s Northern Borders province, native plants have found a way not only to survive but to thrive.

Among the local flora is the Hazaa plant, known scientifically as Ducrosia anethifolia.

The plant is native to the Arabian Peninsula, the Levant, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan, and is part of the Apiaceae family of plants, which includes crops and medicinal plants, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Due to its ability to handle high levels of drought and salinity, Hazaa has proved its ability to survive in difficult climatic conditions.

The plant is known for its captivating aroma, and reaches a height of approximately 35 centimeters.

In addition, its unique appearance comes from its long, oval-shaped gray-green leaves that have sharp points, making the plant easily recognizable among other plants in the wild.

Along with its pleasant smell, the plant produces small, light yellow, umbrella-like flowers during the flowering season, with 12 to 18 flowers on each stem.

The Northern Borders region is also home to other plant species, including Reseda alba, Salsola tetrandra shrubs and lavender.


Kingdom adds 5,969 architectural heritage sites to national register

Updated 23 June 2025
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Kingdom adds 5,969 architectural heritage sites to national register

  • Total is now 34,171, reflecting the cultural richness, diversity of all regions
  • Sites are added to digital maps for easier management, protection and preservation

RIYADH: The Heritage Commission has registered 5,969 new architectural heritage sites in the National Register of Architectural Heritage, bringing the total to 34,171.

These sites reflect the richness and diversity of architectural heritage across the Kingdom’s regions, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The newly registered sites are: 3,893 in Asir, 761 in Qassim, 499 in Baha, 483 in Makkah, 258 in Riyadh, 60 in Hail, eight in Jazan, four in Jouf, and three in the Eastern Province.

The commission said its registration efforts are ongoing and cover all regions. The process is based on heritage regulations and follows a board decision authorizing the commission’s CEO to register sites.

The initiative aims to protect heritage sites from encroachment or neglect and ensure their preservation for future generations, the SPA reported.

Registering new sites is part of a broader effort to identify, document and manage cultural sites. The sites are added to digital maps for easier management, protection and preservation. A comprehensive database is being built, including documentation and photographic archives.

The commission encouraged citizens and enthusiasts to report urban heritage sites through its reporting platform, X account, or regional branches. It also praised public awareness and participation in preserving national heritage.

Last week, the commission also announced the addition of 744 new archeological sites to the National Antiquities Register, raising the total to 10,061.

The new archeological sites are distributed as follows: Riyadh (253), Madinah (167), Najran (86), Tabuk (72), Asir (64), Qassim (30), Jazan (23), Eastern Province (13), Hail (13), Makkah (11), Jouf (10). and Northern Borders (2).


Saudi royal reserve tightens entry, picnic rules

Updated 23 June 2025
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Saudi royal reserve tightens entry, picnic rules

  • Updates aim to protect the environment, vegetation, and wildlife while encouraging ecotourism through public excursions and outdoor activities
  • Visitors can access the reserve daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. with prior authorization via the authority’s website

RIYADH: The King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority has updated entry and picnic regulations for the Al-Suman and Al-Dahna areas within the location. 

The updates aim to protect the environment, vegetation, and wildlife while encouraging ecotourism through public excursions and outdoor activities.

Visitors can access the reserve daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. with prior authorization via the authority’s website, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently. 

Permit requests must be submitted at least two days in advance and include visitor details, companion information, vehicle type, and a commitment to follow environmental rules. 

Registered residents of administrative centers within the reserve are exempt from this requirement, the SPA added. 

The authority stressed the importance of complying with regulations, including bans on hunting, wood gathering, open fires, driving over vegetation, littering, noise, visual pollution, and any other harmful activities. 

These measures aim to limit environmental damage, especially in ecologically rich areas showing notable recovery in recent years. 

The update aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals for royal reserves and the Saudi Green Initiative, which seeks to protect recent environmental gains and promote wildlife and plant growth in thriving basins and meadows.