Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH – Fodder farms consume 5.7 times more water than commercial and residential uses combined.

More than 17 billion cubic meters of water is consumed by fodder farms annually while residential and commercial sector consumes around 3 billion cubic meters, according to a report published by the Arabic language newspaper Makkah quoting key data provided by Environment, Water and Agriculture Minister Abdul Rahman Al-Fadli.

While revealing the key information, Al-Fadli emphasized the need to stop fodder irrigation as per a schedule set by the government to save water resources.

He made the disclosure while presiding over a meeting of the higher committee in charge of stopping fodder cultivation in the Kingdom. The committee reviewed the rules and regulations related to stopping fodder production in line with Cabinet instructions.

The ministry will soon pass the rules and regulations related to the stoppage, Al-Fadli said, adding that the Council of Ministers passed a decision in this respect last year. The move was aimed at ensuring continuous supply of water and sustainability of agriculture.

“The committee will work to realize its mission as quickly as possible,” Al-Fadli said.

He commended the role of King Abdulaziz City of Science and Technology in managing the stoppage project.

“KACST has provided the latest technology to realize this project,” he said.

“It prepared digital maps for various types of farms using high resolution satellite photos as well as a database for agricultural regions using geographical information. It also identified the various types of fodder crops and their quality,” the minister said.

KACST has been making effective contribution to the project by conducting a study on changes in fodder farming during the next five years following the Cabinet decision in this respect.

“It has also provided the ministry with detailed maps,” he said. It will transfer the necessary knowledge to the ministry’s staff and provide the ministry with information and visuals related to the project,” the minister said, adding that it involves 2,750 pictures.

“This will enable the ministry to monitor all farms in the targeted regions through satellite photos,” Al-Fadli said.