Minister of Agriculture Dr Fahd Balghunaim on Tuesday inaugurated a symposium on the role of the agricultural sector in rationalization of water resources.
Tabouk Agricultural Development Company (TADCO) organised the symposium in cooperation with the Saudi Agricultural Group (SAG).
A number of water and environment conservation specialists from Saudi Arabia and abroad are participating in the symposium.
Minister of Agriculture Dr Fahd Balghunaim said that the Kingdom has witnessed remarkable development in the agricultural sector over the past three decades. He noted that development in the agricultural sphere has had a significant positive impact on the country’s economy.
“Realizing that the agricultural sector is the biggest consumer of water in the Kingdom, the Ministry has taken series of measures to rationalize water consumption including forbidding exportation of green fodders and the issuance of new licenses for implementing fodder projects,” he said.
Balghunaim noted that, in accordance with the policy of rationalization of water consumption, a Royal Order was issued preventing the purchase of barley from farmers or agricultural companies by the General Organization for Grain Silos and Flour Mills. He noted that directives were issued to farmers and agricultural companies to cultivate crops that consume less water, effective from the agricultural season of 1424/1425H.
Dr Balghunaim said that the Ministry of Agriculture is keen to utilize treated sewage water for agricultural purposes.
Source: SPA
