RIYADH — Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture Eng. Abdulrahman Bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadhli has revealed an expansion plan for the broiler sector and support services, in cooperation with the relevant authorities, to boost the self-sufficiency rate of poultry meat to 80% by 2025 as a first stage to achieve food security.

The minister explained that the expansion plan will contribute to pumping new investments into the poultry production sector in the Kingdom with a value of SR17 billion until 2025, to achieve a target production capacity estimated at 1.3 million tons of broiler chickens annually, and aims to achieve national food security, increase the contribution to local content, and provide jobs opportunities.

He stressed that the Agricultural Development Fund for companies and institutions wishing to expand in the poultry production industry would provide around 70% of the investment cost when using advanced technologies.

He explained that these new expansion investments come to enhance the role of the poultry production sector in achieving food security and providing high-quality local products and appropriate prices.

He added that this is in direct line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to support the private sector, increase its contribution to economic development, and raise its contribution to the gross domestic product.

Al-Fadhli highlighted the constant support and follow-up that the sector enjoys from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and the Crown Prince to achieve food security.

The Kingdom’s percentage of self-sufficiency in poultry meat production jumped from 45% in 2016 to 68% in 2022, as the Ministry seeks through its plans, programs, follow-up, and technical support to raise the self-sufficiency rate of poultry meat to 80% to achieve food security. — SPA