IoT revolutionizes Saudi agriculture toward sustainability and prosperity

IoT-enabled farming technologies play a crucial role in improving productivity and sustainability through precision monitoring and management, resource efficiency, and remote management. (SPA)
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Updated 26 June 2024
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IoT revolutionizes Saudi agriculture toward sustainability and prosperity

  • Transformative approach promises to revolutionize traditional agricultural practices

RIYADH: In Saudi Arabia’s vast agricultural terrain, a transformative shift is occurring, driven by the adoption of advanced technologies.

Despite challenges such as water scarcity, inefficient practices, and climatic hardships, integrating Internet of Things technologies in farming is bringing a sense of optimism.

This transformative approach promises to revolutionize traditional agricultural practices and offer a path toward a more resilient and prosperous future for Saudi farmers. 

In an interview with Arab News, economist and policy adviser Mahmoud Khairy said that improving productivity, resource efficiency, and sustainability in the farming sector are key factors driving the adoption of IoT applications in the Kingdom.

“These technologies enable farmers to monitor and manage their crops and livestock more effectively, leading to better yields and reduced costs,” he said.

Phil Webster, partner at the management consulting firm Arthur D. Little, told Arab News: “There has been significant uptake of these relatively nascent technologies compared to, say, five years ago.”

As the nation embraces IoT solutions, it embarks on a journey toward sustainable agriculture, where productivity, efficiency, and environmental stewardship converge to create a brighter future.

Transforming agricultural practices

The application of IoT in smart farming is revolutionizing traditional agricultural practices. Farmers can gather real-time data on various parameters crucial for crop growth by utilizing sensors, actuators, and connected devices. 

Soil moisture, temperature, humidity, livestock health, and crop growth data are collected and analyzed to make informed decisions. This data-driven approach enables farmers to optimize resource usage, improve crop yields, and minimize environmental impact.

Mishkat, a company specializing in sustainable and high-production farming, has highlighted its initiatives, such as vertical farming and impressive greenhouse facilities, which showcase the immense potential of IoT technologies in overcoming challenges.

The company aims to produce nutritious, authentic, and trusted food with minimal environmental impact, prioritizing sustainability, safety, and health.

“We want to be the leading experts in KSA on sustainable and high production farming techniques, delivering high- quality produce with maximum resource efficiency,” Mishkat says.

The firm’s unique fusion of vertical farming with greenhouse cultivation offers a sustainable solution to local pesticide-free and water-efficient production.

Nestled on the outskirts of Jeddah, Mishkat’s agricultural facility combines vertical farming with advanced greenhouse technology to offer a sustainable solution to local pesticide-free and water-efficient production.

This unique fusion of techniques presents a compelling vision for the future of agriculture in arid regions. Their facility includes a vertical farm where crops are grown in stacked layers.

This design, reminiscent of a multi-tiered tower, is more than just visually striking – it’s a smart solution to land scarcity. 

These technologies enable farmers to monitor and manage their crops and livestock more effectively, leading to better yields and reduced costs.

Mahmoud Khairy, economist and policy adviser

Complementing the vertical farm, Mishkat boasts two state-of-the-art greenhouses. These structures, armed with advanced climate control systems, provide an optimal environment for plant growth.

By modulating factors like temperature, humidity, and light, greenhouses ensure that the crops inside are shielded from the harsh climatic conditions typical of the Jeddah outskirts.

Mishkat’s headquarters is unique for several reasons: it is among the first commercial vertical farms in the Kingdom, offers rare greenhouse and vertical hybrid agricultural facilities, and is one of the few certified organically controlled environment farms globally.

In Riyadh, Bather Farm is also redefining urban farming with its cutting-edge vertical farming system.

By leveraging Agritecture Designer farm planning software and iFarm technology, Bather Farm optimizes crop production in an otherwise arid environment.

“At Bather Farm, we envision a greener and healthier Saudi Arabia, where agriculture gives to the people and planet more than it takes,” the firm says on its website.

This project underlines CEA’s potential to reinvent regional agriculture, paving the way toward food security and sustainability.

This melding of technology and agriculture underscores the potential for harmonizing urban living with sustainable farming practices.

E-farming boosting the economy

Economist and policy adviser Mahmoud Khairy emphasized the significance of adopting advanced agricultural solutions in Saudi Arabia.

Khairy highlighted that embracing IoT-enabled farming technologies and precision agriculture practices aligns with the nation’s broader economic and agricultural development objectives.

He added: “By embracing these technologies, the country aims to modernize its agricultural sector, create job opportunities, and reduce its dependency on food imports,” stressing that such advancements would bolster food security, diversify the economy, and minimize water usage in agriculture.

Moreover, Khairy pointed out that implementing data-driven approaches to optimize crop yields and resource efficiency could lead to several economic benefits.

By leveraging data analytics, farmers can make more informed decisions, resulting in increased productivity, higher revenues, and improved profitability. 

Partnerships and collaborations play a critical role in promoting the adoption and maintenance of digital technologies in agriculture.

Phil Webster, partner at Arthur D. Little

Khairy emphasized that compared to traditional methods, data-driven approaches offer a more precise and scientific way of managing agricultural operations. Therefore, they enhance productivity and resource efficiency while ensuring long-term economic viability and sustainability.

IoT-enabled farming technologies in Saudi Arabia’s agricultural sector play a crucial role in improving productivity and sustainability through precision monitoring and management, resource efficiency, and remote management, according to Khairy.

“These technologies, such as sensors and drones, provide real-time data on soil quality, crop health, and pest infestations, allowing farmers to make informed decisions on irrigation, fertilization, and pest control,” he explained.

Government support and collaboration

For IoT technologies to reach their full potential in Saudi agriculture, government support and collaboration are paramount.

Initiatives like the National Agricultural Development Co.’s AI solutions demonstrate the importance of leveraging technology for agricultural advancement.

By fostering collaboration among stakeholders and providing financial support, policymakers can facilitate the widespread adoption of IoT technologies.

Additionally, investment in research and development, infrastructure, and training programs is essential to equip farmers with the necessary skills and knowledge to embrace IoT solutions effectively.

Moreover, partnerships between government agencies, agricultural extension services, technology providers, and academic institutions can promote knowledge-sharing and innovation in the agricultural sector.

“Partnerships and collaborations play a critical role in promoting the adoption and maintenance of digital technologies in agriculture,” Arthur D. Little’s Webster emphasized.

He added: “The most important role of such collaborations is to ensure that there is good governance over the data that is collected at all parts of the food chain from farm to fork.” 

Webster explained that data governance is “clarity over how data – and any associated meta-data – is collected, in what form, and for use by whom (e.g., different parts of the agri-food supply chain, regulators, Government) and under what circumstances.”

He stressed the cruciality of such aspects in ensuring that business models involving the use and monetization of data work effectively.

Webster also called on farmers to take advantage of the Saudi government’s wide range of initiatives and programs to integrate digital technologies.

The General Authority for Statistics has recently launched the inventory survey of agricultural holdings in the Kingdom in order to provide essential data on plant and animal production, including cultivated areas and production quantities, as well as sales volumes, crop values, and livestock numbers at the regional level.

Commenting on the survey, Khairy said: “With this data, policymakers, researchers, and agricultural stakeholders can identify areas for improvement, pinpoint specific challenges faced by farmers, and tailor agriculture solutions to address the unique needs of different regions.”

As Saudi Arabia faces the challenges of water scarcity, climate change, and food security, embracing IoT technologies becomes imperative.

The integration of IoT in agriculture offers a pathway to overcome these challenges, enhance productivity, and promote sustainable farming practices.

Through collaboration, innovation, and government support, Saudi farmers can embark on a journey toward a more resilient and prosperous agricultural future.

“Owing to both demand and investment – as well as the increasing availability of IoT-enabled farming technologies – this future trajectory will no doubt continue,” Webster said.

He suggested that the nation could soon achieve self-sufficiency or become a net exporter, particularly in products like eggs.

Webster envisioned a revolution in agricultural supply chains, emphasizing a transition to alternative proteins with great potential in semi or fully-automated indoor farming, which promises heightened productivity and reduced production costs.

Khairy said that Saudi Arabia’s adoption of advanced farming technologies is “poised to make significant contributions to global food security and environmental conservation efforts.”

He added that through the incorporation of sustainable agricultural practices, farmers in the Kingdom can increase productivity while minimizing environmental impact.

“This not only ensures food security domestically but also allows Saudi Arabia to potentially become a key player in international food supply chains,” Khairy explained.


Saudi Arabia raises $628m in June sukuk offering

Updated 24 June 2025
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Saudi Arabia raises $628m in June sukuk offering

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s National Debt Management Center has completed its June issuance under the government’s riyal-denominated sukuk program, raising SR2.355 billion ($628 million).

The figure marks a decline of 42 percent from May’s SR4.08 billion, which was the highest monthly total recorded this year. The drop reflects typical fluctuations in the government’s monthly funding activity.

The June offering was divided into five tranches. The first amounted to SR25 million and will mature in 2027. The second, totaling SR1.175 billion, will mature in 2029. The third tranche stood at SR500 million and is set to mature in 2032. The fourth was SR5 million, maturing in 2036, while the fifth and final tranche reached SR650 million, due in 2039.

Sukuk, which are structured to comply with Islamic finance principles, offer investors returns generated from tangible assets or projects, rather than traditional interest payments. These instruments continue to attract strong demand from investors seeking stable, Shariah-compliant returns.

Despite the month-on-month decline, the latest issuance underscores Saudi Arabia’s efforts to diversify its funding base and develop the domestic debt market.

The NDMC has maintained a steady pace of monthly issuances this year, including SR3.72 billion in January, SR3.07 billion in February, SR2.64 billion in March, and SR4.08 billion in May.

Saudi Arabia continues to lead the Gulf Cooperation Council in sukuk and bond activity. In the first quarter of 2025, the Kingdom accounted for more than 60 percent of all primary debt issuances in the region, raising $31.01 billion from 41 offerings, according to the Kuwait Financial Center, known as Markaz.

In a broader outlook, S&P Global has highlighted Saudi Arabia’s expanding non-oil economy and strong sukuk activity as key drivers for growth in global Islamic finance.

The agency forecasts total sukuk issuance could reach between $190 billion and $200 billion in 2025, with up to $80 billion in foreign-currency issuances, assuming stable market conditions.

Looking ahead, Kamco Invest projects that Saudi Arabia will lead the GCC in bond maturities over the next five years. Between 2025 and 2029, about $168 billion in Saudi bonds are expected to mature, underscoring the Kingdom’s prominent role in the region’s debt landscape.


Closing Bell: TASI rises 2.37% to close at 10,964 

Updated 24 June 2025
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Closing Bell: TASI rises 2.37% to close at 10,964 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index rose 254.04 points, or 2.37 percent, to close at 10,964.28 on Tuesday. 

Total trading turnover reached SR8.48 billion ($2.26 billion), with 248 stocks posting gains and five declining. 

The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu also recorded an increase, gaining 492.72 points, or 1.87 percent, to settle at 26,850.79, as 73 stocks advanced and 22 retreated.

The MSCI Tadawul 30 Index, meanwhile, gained 29.06 points, or 2.11 percent, to finish at 1,406.69. 

Red Sea International Co. was the best-performing stock of the session, with its share price rising 9.97 percent to SR42.45. Salama Cooperative Insurance Co. followed with a 9.92 percent increase to SR13.52. 

Other gainers included Saudi Cable Co., which rose to a fresh year high on Tuesday, closing at SR147.20 with a 6.05 percent increase. 

On the losing side, SABIC Agri-Nutrients Co. saw the steepest decline, falling 4.58 percent to SR104.2. Saudi Arabian Oil Co. dropped 1.62 percent to SR24.34, and Taleem REIT Fund declined 0.85 percent to SR9.30. 

Dar Al Arkan Real Estate Development Co. announced its intention to issue a dollar-denominated, fixed-rate, Shariah-compliant sukuk under Regulation S, as it seeks to broaden its funding base and support general corporate purposes. 

The Riyadh-based property developer has appointed a consortium of regional and international banks to act as joint lead managers and bookrunners for the issuance. 

These include Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, and Alkhair Capital, as well as Al Rayan Investment and Arqaam Capital. Other participants are Bank ABC, Dubai Islamic Bank, Emirates NBD Capital, and First Abu Dhabi Bank.

The list also features J.P. Morgan, Mashreq, and Sharjah Islamic Bank, as well as Standard Chartered Bank, and Warba Bank. 

The appointed banks will arrange a series of fixed income investor calls starting June 24, ahead of the planned sukuk offering in global capital markets. 

The transaction remains subject to market conditions and regulatory approvals, including compliance with Financial Conduct Authority and International Capital Market Association stabilization rules. 

The offering is classified as a benchmark senior unsecured sukuk under Regulation S, which allows for international placement with institutional investors. The value of the sukuk will be determined based on market conditions at the time of issuance. 

According to the company’s statement on Tadawul, the proceeds from the issuance will be used for general corporate purposes. The board of directors approved the sukuk issuance on May 29. 

Dar Al Arkan’s share price closed the session 2.70 percent higher to reach SR19. 


Oman’s sovereign fund nets $4.1bn profit with disciplined, future-focused strategy: Report

Updated 24 June 2025
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Oman’s sovereign fund nets $4.1bn profit with disciplined, future-focused strategy: Report

  • OIA ranked 35th globally by assets under management among sovereign wealth funds
  • Around 61.3% of its portfolio is invested locally

RIYADH: Oman’s sovereign wealth fund posted a record profit of 1.59 billion Omani rials ($4.1 billion) in 2024 and grew its assets above 20 billion rials, Global SWF reported.

The additional revenue enabled the Oman Investment Authority to transfer 800 million rials into the national budget, according to the report, providing a vital fiscal cushion and underscoring the fund’s expanding dual role as both an economic engine and a diplomatic asset.

Beyond headline profits, OIA is executing a strategic shift, prioritizing domestic investments to generate local value while forming global partnerships to secure future-ready capabilities in areas such as artificial intelligence, clean energy, logistics, and manufacturing.

Ranked 35th globally by assets under management among sovereign wealth funds, the OIA is increasingly being viewed as a nimble but ambitious player.

According to Global SWF, its disciplined portfolio strategy, increased transparency, and joint fund architecture are transforming the fund into a networked sovereign investor with a growing international footprint.

At home, OIA’s economic impact is significant. Around 61.3 percent of its portfolio is invested locally, mainly through its National Development Fund, which exceeded its 2024 target by deploying 2.1 billion riyals in strategic projects, according to Global SWF.

These include infrastructure ventures such as the Duqm Refinery, new mining operations in Lasil and Al Baydha, and solar energy plants in Manah.

Over the past year, the fund has inked a $300 million joint investment platform with Algeria and expanded its Vietnam-Oman Investment Fund. 

These investments signal a shift in Gulf sovereign wealth funds— from passive holdings to active, technology-driven deal-making aligned with national objectives.

In parallel, OIA has launched the Future Fund Oman with an allocation of $5.2 billion, targeting large-scale domestic projects, small and medium-sized enterprises, and startups, according to a separate May report by Global SWF.

In its first year, the fund approved over $2 billion in deals, with 75 percent of capital coming from foreign investors, underlining investor confidence in Oman’s diversification agenda.

Investing for Vision 2040

OIA’s 2024 performance also reflected its focus on human capital and job creation, with nearly 1,400 new roles generated and the Omanization rate across OIA-linked entities reaching 77.7 percent.

Through programs like Jadarah, Nomou, and Eidaad, the fund is aligning education, training, and employment with Vision 2040’s long-term growth objectives.

Meanwhile, the fund is moving from asset accumulation toward strategic exits. Since 2022, it has divested 19 assets, including three major IPOs: Abraj Energy Services, OQ Gas Networks, and Pearl REIF— raising over $2.5 billion, according to the release.

The October listing of 25 percent of OQ Exploration & Production marked Oman’s largest-ever IPO, signaling deepening liquidity in Muscat’s capital markets, according to the Global SWF May report.

OIA’s roadmap includes 30 more divestments through 2029 across sectors, including logistics, utilities, and aquaculture, aiming to crowd in private capital and raise governance standards. These IPOs are structural tools to deepen Oman’s market while supporting the transition to a knowledge-based economy.

Global investment, local value

Even as it expands abroad, OIA insists every foreign investment must deliver back home— whether in skills, supply chain resilience, or technology transfer. Recent deals illustrate this ethos.

In the US, OIA invested in Tidal Vision, a company developing climate-smart biopolymers. In Singapore, it joined a $100 million venture capital fund with Golden Gate Ventures and helped establish a Muscat-based venture office to incubate deep-tech startups.

In one of its most high-profile moves, OIA took a stake in Elon Musk’s xAI, joining fellow Gulf players like Saudi’s Kingdom Holding and Qatar Investment Authority.

The move links Omani capital to frontier technology while reinforcing the fund’s mandate to back high-potential sectors shaping the global economy.

The OIA’s operational discipline has not gone unnoticed. Since 2021, it has reduced its subsidiary debt by nearly $5.6 billion, standing at $23.92 billion as of the end of the third quarter of 2024. It also refused to issue any new government guarantees last year, according to Global SWF, boosting investor confidence. Ratings agency S&P cited OIA’s reforms and transparency in reaffirming Oman’s BBB- rating with a positive outlook.


Mawani names Al-Mazroua as new president

Updated 24 June 2025
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Mawani names Al-Mazroua as new president

JEDDAH: Saudi Ports Authority has appointed Suliman bin Khalid Al-Mazroua as its new president, effective June 29, as part of its push to strengthen leadership and advance key strategic goals.

Al-Mazroua succeeds Mazen bin Ahmed Al-Turki, who had been serving as acting president and played a key role in several initiatives aimed at developing logistics zones and parks across the Kingdom.

Al-Turki’s most recent contribution included overseeing the signing of a series of new build-operate-transfer contracts valued at more than SR2.2 billion ($586.6 million) to develop multi-purpose cargo terminals at eight Saudi ports.

The appointment of Al-Mazroua, announced by Mawani’s board of directors, underscores the authority’s commitment to supporting the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030. Both initiatives aim to position the Kingdom as a global logistics hub and a leading industrial power.

In a post on his X account, Al-Mazroua expressed his appreciation for the board’s trust and pledged to further the authority’s strategic goals.

“I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to His Excellency the Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Chairman of the Board of the Saudi Ports Authority, Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, as well as to their Excellencies and distinguished members of the board for this generous trust,” he said.

Al-Mazroua  added: “I pray to God for success in serving our blessed country and fulfilling the aspirations of our visionary leadership. I am also very pleased to work alongside my colleagues at the Saudi Ports Authority.”

In a statement, the authority said that Al-Mazroua “affirmed his commitment to advancing Mawani’s strategic objectives and enhancing its performance in line with its development plans and transformation programs.”

Before assuming his new role, Al-Mazroua served as CEO of the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program, where he played a key role in driving economic diversification and enhancing infrastructure in key sectors, including industry, mining, energy, and logistics.

“He also played a key role in stimulating investment in these sectors with the aim of increasing their contribution to the Kingdom’s gross domestic product, promoting innovation, enhancing local content, and advancing the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” the statement added.

With more than two decades of professional experience, Al-Mazroua has held several senior leadership positions, including at Saudi Aramco from 2001 to 2017.

Over the years, he progressed from technical roles to executive leadership, contributing to the establishment of research and development centers, strengthening cybersecurity frameworks, and advancing health care sector initiatives.

He also worked at US-based Aruba Networks from November 2006 to July 2007 and previously served as a quality assurance engineer at California-based Caspian Networks.

In addition, Al-Mazroua led the National Transformation Program and the Delivery and Rapid Intervention Center, where he contributed to planning, monitoring, and accelerating the implementation of development initiatives in support of Vision 2030.

He is also a member of several boards, including the Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Saudi Arabia and Marafiq Co.


Saudi Arabia, Bahrain launch 2nd phase of industrial integration 

Updated 24 June 2025
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Saudi Arabia, Bahrain launch 2nd phase of industrial integration 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have launched the second phase of their industrial integration initiative, aiming to boost bilateral trade, investment, and cross-border supply chain cooperation. 

Announced on the sidelines of the Saudi Industry Forum 2025 in Dhahran, Khalil Ibn Salamah, the Kingdom’s deputy minister for industrial affairs, emphasized that the new phase would build on prior successes between the two countries. 

This comes amid strengthening economic ties between the countries, with the Saudi Arabia’s direct investments in Bahrain reaching SR35 billion ($9.33 billion) in 2023 — representing approximately 20 percent of total foreign investments — and 1,550 Saudi-registered companies operating in the country, as revealed by the Kingdom’s Minister of Investment, Khalid Al-Falih, during a business forum earlier this year. 

In an official statement marking the latest announcement, the Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources stated: “The second phase of industrial integration between the two countries focused on setting specific targets, including enhancing intra-trade in industrial goods, attracting industrial investments.” 

It added that this will help “integration in the field of industrial infrastructure and supply chain integration,” as well as identifying a list of export opportunities for non-oil goods and facilitating procedures for exporters and investors. 

The initiative is part of broader efforts under the Gulf Cooperation Council Economic Agreement, which aims to increase the industrial sector’s contribution to regional GDP and foster industrial coordination among member states “on an integrated basis,” according to the ministry. 

The second phase builds on earlier efforts, including the Future Factories Program, which helped shift production in both countries from labor-intensive to advanced manufacturing, along with aligning policies to treat local products as national goods and streamline customs processes. 

As part of the second-phase launch, Ibn Salamah inaugurated the Bahraini Investors Services Office in Dammam’s Third Industrial City. The event was attended by Bahrain’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, Abdullah bin Adel Fakhro. 

“The office aims to attract quality industrial investments and provide all industrial investment services to investors,” the ministry noted. 

Positioned strategically near Bahrain, approximately 130 km away, Dammam’s Third Industrial City offers a robust industrial ecosystem. 

Spanning 48 million sq. meters, the site features extensive infrastructure including a modern road network, energy and water supply systems, and logistical connectivity through its proximity to King Fahd Port, King Fahd International Airport, and the dry port in the city of SPARK. 

The Saudi Industry Forum also highlighted how the new office will offer a “package of services and enablers from the industrial and mining system to facilitate the journey of Bahraini investors,” further underscoring both countries’ commitment to deepening industrial and economic ties.