Saudi Arabia’s Agricultural Development Fund is scaling up efforts to bolster food security and sustain the Kingdom’s vital agricultural sector, aiming to raise self-sufficiency levels while simultaneously strengthening strategic reserves against global market fluctuations.
The current roadmap balances support for domestic production and supply chains with robust external programs to import targeted food products. Habib Al-Shammari, the fund’s official spokesman, said that “the approach aligns with the national agriculture and food security strategies.” Furthermore, the fund continues to promote modern technologies in agricultural projects to preserve natural resources and boost overall productivity.
In 2024, the fund disbursed more than SAR1.2 billion ($300 million) for projects that successfully utilized modern agricultural technologies. These initiatives helped save nearly 4 million cubic meters of water and cut energy consumption by about 330,000 megawatt hours. Consequently, these technologies reduce greenhouse gas emissions by improving efficiency in line with the ambitious Saudi Green Initiative goals.
Investing in Biodiversity and Nature
The fund also financed agricultural projects worth SAR26.6 million ($7.1 million) to support afforestation and expand essential vegetation cover. Al-Shammari said the fund has also backed biodiversity protection by financing programs supporting beekeeping and honey production across the Kingdom. Additionally, the fund developed rose cultivation and rain-fed crops while extending loans totaling more than SAR12 million to central nurseries.
Loan approvals reached approximately SAR 6.47 billion ($1.72 billion) by the end of 2025 according to the latest official figures. The fund also signed a memorandum of understanding last year with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in Rome. This agreement supports sustainable rural agricultural development and allows for the exchange of critical expertise between the two entities.
Al-Shammari said such agreements strengthen the agricultural sector, pointing to deals with local entities like Jazan City for Primary Industries. These partnerships enhance integration into food-sector investment opportunities and maximize the impact of the fund’s programs for all stakeholders.
Strengthening Local Supply Chains
The fund signed an agreement with the National Center for Palms and Dates to support the sustainability of the sector. This deal finances operating costs for date purchases and offers tailored financing solutions to local farmers and industrial processors. Meanwhile, another agreement with the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve Development Authority focuses on vegetation development and ecosystem sustainability.
To revitalize the livestock sector, the fund signed a deal with Al-Raie National Livestock Company for a sheep project. This Hail-based venture is valued at SAR1.106 billion ($295 million), with a total investment cost of roughly 2 billion ($533 million). Finally, the fund signed an agreement with the Center for Support and Liquidation to regulate the sale of seized assets.
