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, Ahmed Saud Almuhanna
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.