The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA), in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, announced the publication of a landmark scientific study demonstrating transformative improvements in small ruminant productivity through an innovative Farm Service Delivery Model (FSDM).
Conducted under the FAO–Saudi Arabia Technical Cooperation Programme, the study entitled “Transforming Small Ruminant Productivity through a Farm Service Delivery Model" highlights the strong collaboration between the Ministry (MEWA) and FAO to boost livestock productivity and advance sustainable rural agricultural development in the Kingdom. The study forms part of the programme aimed at strengthening the Ministry's capacity to implement the Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development Programme.
The pilot study demonstrates how a community-based approach, led by trained Animal Production Technicians providing integrated services in animal health, nutrition, and reproductive management, can significantly improve productivity and resilience in small ruminant systems. Key results from participating farms showed that lambing rates doubled from 0.4 to 0.8, twin births increased significantly, mortality rates declined by two-thirds (from 24% to 8%), and milk production in sheep and goats more than doubled.
The Assistant Deputy at the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Dr. Ali Alshaikhi, said that the study provided strong evidence that delivering livestock services through a structured, community-based approach can significantly improve farm productivity, increase farmers' incomes, and support the Kingdom's national food security goals. He added that the study also offers a practical pathway for modernizing and sustainably developing the livestock sector in Saudi Arabia. He further noted that these findings contribute to the delivery of more integrated, farm-level services.
Dr. Nizar Haddad, FAO Program Manager in the Kingdom, emphasized that the farm service delivery model could be a game-changer for the local small ruminant sector. He added that it offers a scalable and replicable framework for other arid، semi-arid، and dry land regions worldwide facing similar livestock productivity challenges.
The study also underscores the significant national potential for scaling up the Farm Service Delivery Model. Estimates suggest that expanding the model across the Kingdom could generate up to SAR 18 billion (USD 4.8 billion) in additional meat and dairy production over five years, while reducing reliance on meat imports by nearly 50%. The model could also create thousands of rural jobs, particularly for young people and women, while strengthening food security, supporting economic diversification, and advancing sustainable rural development in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
In partnership with relevant stakeholders, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture continues to drive the transformation of the livestock sector to support greater income opportunities for small ruminant farmers. In the next phase, FAO will continue supporting the expansion of this approach across several regions and facilitate public-private partnerships to help with implementation and improve service delivery efficiency.