Saudi Agricultural Fund Approves USD 1.7 Billion for Food Security

The Agricultural Development Fund in Saudi Arabia approved loans worth SAR 6.47 billion (USD 1.72 billion) in its latest figures covering 2025, supporting food security and the development of the Kingdom’s agricultural sector.

The fund’s financing approach combines domestic production with supply chain support and external investment programmes aimed at securing key imports and expanding cross-border agricultural activity.

Officials said the strategy aligns with national food security plans and includes the adoption of modern agricultural technologies to improve productivity while conserving natural resources.

In 2024, the fund disbursed more than SAR 1.2 billion (USD 300 million) for projects using advanced technologies, helping save nearly 4 million cubic metres of water and reduce energy consumption by approximately 330,000 megawatt hours.

Additional financing included SAR 26.6 million (USD 7.1 million) for afforestation and vegetation expansion projects, alongside biodiversity-focused programmes supporting beekeeping, honey production, rose cultivation and rain-fed crops. Loans exceeding SAR 12 million were also allocated to central nurseries.

The fund expanded its partnership network in 2025, signing agreements with the International Fund for Agricultural Development in Rome to support rural development and knowledge exchange.

Local collaborations included agreements with Jazan City for Primary and Downstream Industries, the National Center for Palms and Dates and the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve Development Authority, focusing on sector sustainability, investment integration and ecosystem development.

In the livestock sector, the fund also agreed with Al-Raie National Livestock Company to finance a sheep farming project in Hail valued at SAR 1.106 billion (USD 295 million), with a total investment cost of SAR 2 billion (USD 533 million).