Latest news with #SaudiIrrigationOrganization
Leaders
23-07-2025
- Business
- Leaders
Saudi Irrigation Organization Hosts French Delegation to Discuss Water-Sector Collaboration
The Saudi Irrigation Organization recently welcomed an official delegation from the Republic of France, led by Regional Agricultural Counsellor Stéphane Sander, accompanied by officials from the French Embassy in the Kingdom. The visit aimed to explore avenues for cooperation in the water sector and related fields. The program included presentations highlighting the organization's current initiatives and future projects, as well as technical briefings on its work with reclaimed water and model farming systems. Delegates also toured the central laboratory and the Julayjilah Model Farm. This visit supports ongoing efforts to foster integration and knowledge exchange, strengthen international collaboration on reclaimed water initiatives, and identify potential partnerships in agricultural technology. It further seeks to enhance technical and investment opportunities that facilitate knowledge transfer and the advancement of water resource management, aligned with national development goals. Related Topics: Saudi Arabia Signs 8 MoUs in Biotech, Healthcare Sectors What Every New CEO Needs to Know to Improve Their Company's Performance in 6 Steps Proton Therapy Center: Saudi Arabia's Strides Towards Advanced Healthcare Short link : Post Views: 15 Related Stories
Arab News
08-07-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi team joins training on rainwater harvesting in China
RIYADH: A Saudi team from the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture is taking part in a training program organized by the Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences in cooperation with the Chinese Ministry of Commerce. The team includes 12 specialists from the ministry's water agency, the Saudi Irrigation Organization, and the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday. The course, being held in Lanzhou, China, from July 3-22, focuses on rainwater harvesting technologies and their applications. It is attended by representatives from China's Ministry of Water Resources, along with several water experts and specialists. The ministry said its participation aligns with efforts to implement international agreements and memoranda of understanding with partner countries. The course provides a unique platform for exchanging expertise in water-related fields, particularly rainwater harvesting, it added. The course also covers the design of harvesting systems in rural and urban areas, improvement of collected water quality management and advanced purification technologies, the SPA added. Supplementary irrigation techniques, economic evaluation of harvesting projects, concepts of sponge cities, water reuse, and the role of harvesting technologies in combating desertification and promoting sustainability are also explored. The ministry said that the training features scientific lectures, practical workshops and field visits to innovative projects in several Chinese provinces. The visits showcase systems for securing drinking water from rain, irrigated agriculture projects, sponge city initiatives, and integrated environmental models linking water technologies with urban and rural sustainability. The ministry highlighted the importance of strengthening international cooperation and building national capacity in water management, according to the SPA. This reflects its integrated approach to developing technical competencies, exchanging expertise with leading countries, advancing the water system and promoting sustainable, innovative solutions to water challenges in line with Vision 2030 goals.
Arab News
24-04-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Environment minister leads meeting on Saudi Irrigation Organization's progress
RIYADH: The Saudi Irrigation Organization's board of directors held its 24th meeting on Thursday in Riyadh. The meeting was chaired by the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadli. The board looked at a report on the institution which included performance indicators, achievement rates, and the progress of ongoing projects in various regions of the Kingdom. It also looked into updates on activities and initiatives aimed at improving the efficiency of water resource use and boosting agricultural sustainability. Board members spoke of their appreciation of the wise leadership's ongoing support, affirming that the significant attention given to the water sector consolidated sustainability factors, and enhanced the institution's ability to effectively contribute to achieving Saudi Vision 2030. The meeting concluded with a series of decisions and directives which aim to enhance institutional performance efficiency, and expand partnership possibilities with the relevant entities.
Zawya
17-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Saudi's Alkhorayef Water wins $94mln contracts to develop treated water reuse systems
Saudi-listed Alkhorayef Water and Power Technologies (AWPT) has secured two contracts from the Saudi Irrigation Organization (SIO) with a combined value of 354 million Saudi riyals ($94.34 million). The first contract, valued at SAR 130 million, involves the construction of a treated water reuse system, which will facilitate the transmission and distribution of water supplies from the first phase of Wadi Al-Dawasir sewage treatment plant for the irrigation of agricultural areas, the company said in a statement to the Saudi stock exchange on Thursday. In a separate statement, the company said it won a SAR 224 million contract to develop a similar treated water reuse system to transmit and distribute water supplies from the first phase of Al Rass sewage treatment plant. The two projects will be executed each over 24 months, the statements said. The financial impact of both projects is expected to be reflected in the third quarter of 2025. (Editing by Anoop Menon) (
Arab News
04-04-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Modernizing irrigation for Saudi sustainability
Water scarcity is one of the biggest challenges facing Saudi Arabia today, with agriculture consuming 85 percent of the country's water resources. Traditional irrigation methods, such as flood irrigation, have long been the norm — but they are no longer viable. I've seen firsthand how inefficient water use puts our food security at risk. The way forward isn't incremental change — it requires a fundamental shift in how we approach irrigation. For me, the key to addressing this challenge lies in AI-driven smart irrigation, precision water management, and modern irrigation technologies. These innovations are essential for Saudi Arabia to boost crop yields and strengthen long-term food sustainability. However, the real challenge — and opportunity — lies in scaling these solutions. Despite advances in water management, many farmers in Saudi Arabia and across the Middle East and North Africa still rely on conventional surface irrigation, losing up to 60 percent of water through evaporation and inefficiency. By adopting AI-driven irrigation networks, we can redefine water management — significantly reducing waste while improving efficiency. These systems automate water delivery based on real-time soil moisture data, weather forecasts, and crop-specific requirements, ensuring every drop is used with maximum impact. As Saudi Arabia develops smart cities such as NEOM, we are witnessing innovative technologies take shape, including vertical farming. In 2024, Grundfos successfully executed a vertical farming project, supplying a range of solutions including multistage vertical pumps, end-suction pumps, and submersible pumps. These advances show how cutting-edge irrigation technologies can support sustainable food production in urban environments while conserving water resources. Surface irrigation is still widely used in Saudi Arabia, leading to excessive water loss through evaporation. However, drip and subsurface irrigation systems offer more efficient alternatives, delivering controlled doses of water directly to plant roots. Studies show these methods reduce water consumption by 10 percent to 15 percent while increasing crop productivity by up to 35 percent. For Saudi Arabia's transition to water-smart agriculture to succeed, farmers need practical, accessible solutions that conserve water without compromising productivity. Abdulaziz Daghestani When combined with AI-powered scheduling systems, these technologies ensure water is applied precisely when and where it's needed — optimizing water use and improving yields. Recognizing the importance of efficient irrigation for small-scale farmers, the Saudi Irrigation Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization have launched the 'Promoting Efficient Irrigation and Water Productivity Amongst Farmers' project. This initiative aims to make advanced irrigation technologies more accessible — helping farmers adopt smarter, more sustainable practices while reinforcing Saudi Arabia's commitment to responsible water management. For Saudi Arabia's transition to water-smart agriculture to succeed, farmers need practical, accessible solutions that conserve water without compromising productivity. Smallholder farmers play a major role in Saudi Arabia's agricultural sector, with up to 200,000 farm families contributing 43 percent of the country's agricultural gross domestic product. Giving them the right support — through resources and training — will help them to adopt smart irrigation technologies and achieve large-scale water efficiency. Bridging this gap requires collaboration between government and the private sector to deliver targeted training programs and scalable, cost-effective irrigation solutions. These efforts are already helping farmers integrate state-of-the-art water management technologies, ensuring efficiency improvements reach farms of all sizes. The path forward is clear — water-smart agriculture must be at the heart of Saudi Arabia's long-term sustainability and food security strategy. By scaling up AI-driven irrigation networks, expanding precision irrigation systems, and strengthening public-private partnerships, we can secure a more sustainable future for generations to come. • Abdulaziz Daghestani is area sales director for water utilities in the MENA region and country director for Saudi Arabia at Grundfos.
