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Arab Times
22-05-2025
- Science
- Arab Times
Kuwait making impressive strides in food safety and agri-tech: Dr Burniske
KUWAIT CITY, May 22: 'Kuwait has made significant strides in the field of food safety, while the institutional and research progress witnessed in the sector has been impressive,' says Dr. Gary Burniske, Assistant Executive Director of the Center for Global Food Security at Purdue University and a specialist in smart agriculture technologies and sustainable food supply chains. Burniske made the statement in his interview with the newspaper when he attended the Gulf Summit on Nutrition and Food Safety. During the interview, he talked about the objectives of his visit, his assessment of Kuwait's experience, future partnership opportunities, and the biggest challenges that the region is facing in various areas like food, water, and food waste. He pointed out the important opportunities to enhance the efficiency of local agricultural production through controlled modern technologies and the environment. He also stressed the need to address the food waste issue in Kuwaiti society, disclosing that the majority of food waste occurs at the consumer level -- in homes or restaurants. He called for policies based on accurate data collection and analysis, followed by laying down well-thought-out plans to reduce this phenomenon. He said Purdue University in the United States, where he serves as an academic, is looking forward to establishing effective partnerships with Kuwaiti institutions; most notably the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR). He confirmed that during his visit, there were serious discussions on the implementation of research projects in smart agriculture using artificial intelligence, sensing and precision control. He added one of the most difficult challenges he identified during his visit is the lack of agricultural academic specializations in Kuwaiti universities. He explained that developing the agricultural sector cannot be achieved without building trained national competencies through local academic programs that keep pace with the nature of the Kuwaiti environment. He asserted that Kuwait, despite its harsh climate conditions, has opportunities to develop vertical and smart farming; considering the availability of natural light year-round. He stated that improving water efficiency must be an urgent priority, emphasizing that modern technologies are available and can be applied immediately to increase production and reduce waste. On the mechanism for reducing food waste in Kuwaiti society, he stated 'we must first understand that waste occurs at multiple levels; starting from the supply chain. In Kuwait, the largest proportion of waste occurs at the consumption stage – in homes, restaurants and hotels, or what is known as 'plate waste' or food leftovers. This type of waste contributes to the production of environmentally harmful methane gas. The solution begins with awareness and research into practical solutions that suit the Kuwaiti culture; such as reusing, recycling or using waste as feed or organic fertilizer. Energy can even be produced through 'biodigesters'. It is necessary to gather accurate data on the volume and type of waste, then analyze the data in order to create effective policies. Kuwait is more advanced than many countries in Latin America and Africa in terms of food safety. It has vital resources, an educated population, and strong institutions that are better equipped to deal with nutrition and food safety issues.' On successful experiences in the field of vertical farming, he cited as an example the situation in Egypt, where production in greenhouses is advanced. He pointed out that Egypt has more water resources, such as the Nile River and groundwater, while the environment in Kuwait is different. 'Nevertheless, this does not prevent us from benefiting from these technologies, but they must be adapted to Kuwait's difficult circumstances,' he clarified. On countries' ability to adapt and switch between supply sources, he said that during the Corona crisis, India stopped exporting corn -- a key component in the production of fodder in Kuwait. 'At the time, Kuwait was forced to switch to importing corn from the United States. This is a practical example of the importance of having strong diplomatic and trade relations with several countries to ensure that the supply chain is not affected when crises emerge. Another solution is to enhance local production, so that Kuwait produces a larger portion of its food, which reduces its dependence on imports and protects it from external geopolitical influences.' Following is the full text of the interview: Question: What is the main purpose of your visit to Kuwait? Answer: The primary goal is to participate in the Gulf Summit on Nutrition and Food Safety, where I gave a scientific presentation and participated in discussions with experts and specialists. In addition, I am interested in communicating with scientists and food producers here in Kuwait to explore opportunities for joint collaboration. Our university, Purdue University, works closely with the private sector, government agencies, universities and research centers. We hope to expand these partnerships to include Kuwaiti institutions operating within the food supply chain -- whether in production, food safety or agricultural research. An important part of my visit is to explore the possibility of forming strategic partnerships in these areas. Q: What are your observations on Kuwait's preparations to overcome food safety challenges? A: I believe that Kuwait is making progress in ensuring the safety of food arriving in its territory, whether for citizens or expatriates. There is remarkable progress in scientific research and food production. I also see significant opportunities to increase the efficiency of agricultural production, especially in controlled agricultural environments. These environments, such as greenhouses, need to be developed in terms of efficiency and profitability, while there are promising areas for improving the technology used and making these facilities more effective and economically viable. Q: How would you rate the Kuwaiti experience in the field of food safety compared to Latin America and Africa? A: It is clear that Kuwait is more advanced than many countries in Latin America and Africa with regard to food safety. It possesses vital resources, an educated population, and strong institutions that are better equipped to address nutrition and food safety issues. The institutional structure here is cohesive and covers various stages of the food chain, from imports to local processing and nutrition awareness. This puts Kuwait in a distinguished position in the region. Q: Are there plans to sign agreements or memoranda of understanding between your university and Kuwaiti entities? A: Yes, definitely. We are very interested in signing agreements with Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR). We visited them and had very constructive discussions. At Purdue University, we excel in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). We conduct advanced research on improving the efficiency of agricultural production in controlled environments, particularly in vegetable cultivation, by reducing water and fertilizer use and increasing production using sensor technologies, cameras, machine learning and artificial intelligence. We also discussed the possibility of conducting joint research between us and KISR. There is also the possibility of collaborating with the private sector. We are initiating several public-private partnerships to address bottlenecks in production and processing chains, to contribute to building human capacity and conduct joint scientific research. We also met with Kuwait Food Producers Association, which consists of 90 percent of local processors and producers. We discussed the most difficult challenges they are facing and the opportunities to use Science to increase efficiency, productivity and profitability in this sector. Q: What factors determine the success of the National Food Security Strategy? A: Measuring success depends on the existence of an accurate monitoring and evaluation system. Clear performance indicators must be in place, measured periodically -- some weekly or monthly, but most annually. It is essential to improve data collection and analysis systems. One of the weaknesses we have observed in the Gulf countries is the lack of an accurate and comprehensive database. We need to collect information on nutritious food consumption, food loss, extent of waste, where it occurs, and what is done with the wasted food – if it is recycled, used for energy, feeds or fertilizer. This information must be collected in collaboration with the private sector and shared with universities for analysis, then build informed scientific policies based on this analysis. Q: How can Kuwait protect its food security amid geopolitical fl uctuations? A: This is an important question. To protect its food security, Kuwait needs the ability to adapt and switch between supply sources. For example, during the Corona crisis, India stopped exporting corn -- the main ingredient in the production of fodder in Kuwait. At the time, Kuwait was forced to switch to importing corn from the United States. This is a practical example of the importance of having strong diplomatic and trade relations with several countries to ensure that the supply chain is not affected when crises surface. Another solution is to boost local production, so that Kuwait produces a larger portion of its food, which reduces its dependence on imports and protects it from external geopolitical influences. Q: What are the practical solutions to the problem of water scarcity in agriculture in Kuwait? A: 70 percent of the world's freshwater is used for agriculture and Kuwait has harsh climatic conditions. Therefore, the solution lies in improving water use efficiency in controlled agricultural environments. We are conducting research aimed at reducing water consumption in greenhouses; using sensor technologies, cameras and machine learning to precisely control irrigation, leading to lower consumption and higher yields. There is also research into capturing dew water, more efficient desalination, and utilizing atmospheric humidity. However, these technologies still require significant investment. The fastest and most effective solution now is to improve water use efficiency in agriculture. Q: Do you think there is a future for smart or vertical farming in Kuwait? A: Certainly, Kuwait has the great advantage of year-round sunlight. In northern countries, such as Europe and the United States, vertical farming is limited due to the short winter days and their heavy reliance on artificial lighting, which consumes a lot of energy. In Kuwait, the availability of sunlight makes vertical farming more efficient. The only current problem is that this type of farming consumes a lot of water due to the drip system. However, such systems can be improved and made more efficient. Q: How can we develop training and education programs to prepare national competencies in the fields of agriculture and food security? A: The main problem is that universities in Kuwait do not have colleges of agriculture or departments of food or crops and this is a major obstacle. It is important to establish educational programs here that focus on agriculture and agricultural research, rather than sending students abroad to learn techniques that are not suitable for the local environment. At Purdue, we are keen to collaborate with Kuwait University to establish a department or college of agriculture. We need institutions that produce Kuwaiti scientists and engineers who combine Science with local knowledge and provide solutions that are appropriate for Kuwait's agricultural reality. Q: Have you visited farms in Kuwait, such as Wafra or Abdally? A: Unfortunately, I have not had enough opportunity to visit farms in agricultural areas like Wafra or Abdally. The information I obtained about agriculture here came from my meetings with producers and workers in this sector, but I aspire to visit these areas in the future. Q: Do you have official figures or statistics on food security or food safety in Kuwait? A: I have collected some data from the internet, but the problem is that such information is not publicly available or organized. Many entities keep data internally, making it difficult for researchers to access. At our universities, we share databases publicly for everyone to benefit from them. We use artificial intelligence techniques to analyze them. However, if the data is not published, we cannot use them to inform policymakers or guide researchers.
Kuwait Times
13-05-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
KU lecture highlights strategic food security challenges in GCC
By Chrsitine Susan Shine KUWAIT: The College of Life Sciences at Kuwait University (KU) hosted a pivotal lecture on Monday addressing strategic priorities for food security across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The event featured keynote speaker Gary Burniske, Managing Director of the Center for Global Food Security at Purdue University, USA and a leading expert in sustainable agriculture, resource management and international development. Burniske underscored the vital role of research and education in enhancing agricultural productivity. 'Without strong research and education, agricultural productivity cannot improve,' he stated, calling on academic institutions to lead policy development based on scientific evidence and to empower local producers through knowledge and innovation. Citing the United Nations Environment Program's 2024 Food Waste Index Report, Burniske expressed concern over the region's food wastage, noting that the GCC discarded approximately 1.3 million tons of food in 2022—translating into financial losses estimated between $4 to $7 billion. He further noted a significant data gap in countries such as Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain. Gary Burniske In his address, Burniske stressed the urgency of strengthening local food production to achieve food sovereignty. He advocated for controlled-environment agriculture systems to overcome Kuwait's natural limitations, including scarce water resources, poor soil quality, and environmental degradation. 'Food security is a difficult issue here,' he remarked, pointing out that the GCC imports nearly 85 percent of its food. 'This leaves the region vulnerable to supply chain disruptions, as witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic when key exporting countries imposed export restrictions on essential staples like rice.' Referencing a report by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Burniske noted that Kuwait ranked second in the GCC in food import dependency, with imports reaching $5.3 billion in 2020. He encouraged investment in culturally appropriate crops and more efficient livestock practices. 'Poultry presents a promising option—it offers a favorable feed-to-weight ratio, rapid growth, and is a more water-efficient and healthier alternative to beef,' he said. Concluding his presentation, Burniske appealed to Kuwait University to expand its academic focus on agriculture. 'I hope Kuwait University will consider establishing a College of Agriculture—or at least an Agronomy Department—to support these critical pillars of food security,' he urged. The event underscored the growing need for regional collaboration, data-driven strategies, and institutional support to address the multifaceted challenges of food security in the Gulf.
