Aquaponics in Saudi Arabia: Initial Steps towards Addressing Food Security in the Arid Region

Azhar M. Memon (), Luai M. AlHems, Sevim Seda Yamaç, Muhammad S. Barry, Aftab Alam and Ahmed AlMuhanna
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Azhar M. Memon: Applied Research Center for Metrology, Standards, and Testing, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
Luai M. AlHems: Applied Research Center for Metrology, Standards, and Testing, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
Sevim Seda Yamaç: Department of Plant Production and Technologies, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, Konya Food and Agriculture University, Konya 42080, Türkiye
Muhammad S. Barry: Applied Research Center for Metrology, Standards, and Testing, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
Aftab Alam: Research and Development, A & A Epiphany LLC, Frisco, TX 75034, USA
Ahmed AlMuhanna: Synthomer Middle East, 2nd Industrial City, Dammam 31472, Saudi Arabia

Agriculture, 2022, vol. 12, issue 12, 1-15

Abstract: Due to water scarcity and harsh climate, Saudi Arabia and its neighboring countries rely heavily on fresh food imports from distant lands and have higher per capita expenditures on vegetable imports compared with USA and China. Aquaponics can supply fresh food throughout the year and may complement conventional agriculture in Saudi Arabia to help the objectives and policies defined by the government for food and water security. In this spirit, an Aquaponics farm is being constructed in the desert-coast climate to study the feasibility. A detailed SWOT analysis is performed for a commercial farm which reveals that the advantages of Aquaponics in the Saudi market outweigh the weaknesses. Preliminary experiences show that such ventures require high capital costs and synergistic collaboration of engineering, agriculture, business, and geology.

Keywords: Aquaponics; food security; Saudi Arabia; SWOT; water security (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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