The “Agricultural Innovation Trends Report”, issued by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in Saudi Arabia, examines the most prominent emerging trends in this vital sector. Agriculture is recognized as a key pillar in enhancing food security, improving resource-use efficiency, and supporting environmental sustainability, in line with the priorities of the Ministry’s Executive Plan for Research and Innovation.
The report focuses on five priority technology clusters across the agricultural value chain. These include irrigation technologies and water management, integrated aquaculture farm management (aquaponics), protected agriculture and environmental control systems, food preservation and value-added recovery from food loss and waste, as well as drone and satellite technologies.
The report also highlights advanced, high-readiness emerging technologies, including AI-powered predictive irrigation systems, computer vision for early detection of pests and diseases, biotechnology-enhanced aquaculture, smart packaging solutions, and unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with edge AI processing capabilities. These technologies play a vital role in increasing productivity, reducing losses, and improving the efficiency of agricultural inputs.
The content of the report is based on data-driven foresight analysis conducted through the National Platform for Research, Development and Innovation Foresight for Sustainability, “NIBRAS.” This approach supports decision-makers, investors, and innovators in adopting advanced agricultural solutions aligned with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, driving agricultural transformation and building a knowledge-based national economy.