Saudi Arabia signs US$5M cooperation agreement with CGIAR to advance agricultural innovation
This agreement marks the first commitment between Saudi Arabia and CGIAR to facilitate collaboration.
SAUDI ARABIA – Saudi Arabia has signed a cooperation agreement with CGIAR aimed at strengthening agricultural innovation, sustainable practices and food security, marking the first formal commitment between the Kingdom and the global research partnership.
Under the agreement, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture will provide funding of US$5 million to support collaborative research, capacity building and joint agricultural projects.
The partnership is designed to facilitate knowledge sharing and applied research in areas critical to Saudi Arabia’s food system, including crop improvement, water management and digital agriculture.
CGIAR, the world’s largest global agricultural research partnership focused on a food-secure future, brings extensive experience in crop science, natural resource management and food systems transformation.
Its research portfolio spans cereals, legumes and other staple crops that are central to food security in dryland regions. Through this agreement, CGIAR’s global expertise will be applied directly to Saudi Arabia’s national priorities.
According to the partners, the cooperation focuses on addressing the structural challenges facing agriculture in arid and semi-arid environments.
CGIAR will provide technical training for local agricultural workers and professionals, while also working with Saudi institutions to implement joint research projects across the agricultural value chain.
A key component of the agreement is research into sustainable water management, with an emphasis on improving irrigation efficiency through digital tools and advanced technologies.
The partnership also involves developing a technological roadmap for crop improvement tailored to Saudi Arabia’s agro-climatic conditions.
This roadmap will draw on local research facilities and field data to support the development of resilient crop varieties, improved production practices and more efficient use of limited natural resources.
The outcomes are expected to contribute to higher productivity, reduced water use and greater resilience of domestic agricultural systems.
Implementation of the cooperation agreement will be led by the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), CGIAR’s dryland research center for the Middle East and North Africa region.
ICARDA has more than fifty years of experience developing science-based solutions for non-tropical dry areas, with a strong track record in crop improvement, water productivity and climate-resilient agriculture.
By working with CGIAR and ICARDA, the Kingdom aims to accelerate innovation in agriculture, enhance local research capacity and support sustainable production systems suited to arid environments.
Sign up to HERE receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.
