Tariq Al-Sheddi has been recently appointed head of the National Data Management Office.
He is also the deputy for planning and development at the Presidency of State Security and is a member of the board of directors at both the Customs Authority and information security company Elm. He is also an adviser to many government sectors.
Al-Sheddi holds a doctorate in computing and bioinformatics from George Mason University, US, a higher diploma in social network analysis from the same university, a master’s degree in management from King Saud University, a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the same institution and a bachelor’s degree in security sciences from King Fahd Security College.
He served as general supervisor for the management of the National Information Center between 2018 and 2019 and as director general of the center between 2014 and 2017.
Al-Sheddi was director of Naif Arab University for Security Sciences between 2013 and 2014, and adviser to the director general of Mabahith (the secret police service of the Presidency of State Security) between 2007 and 2013.
He was also the director of the technical development project in security affairs at the Ministry of Interior between 1995 and 2001, head of the systems development department at King Fahd Security College in 1992, member of the General Authority for Statistics and adviser to the National Guard Hospital.
Tariq Al-Sheddi, head of the National Data Management Office
Tariq Al-Sheddi, head of the National Data Management Office
Experimental farm in Al-Lith looks into future of Saudi Arabian agriculture
- Research initiative reflects strategic transformation
JEDDAH: An experimental farm in Saudi Arabia’s Al-Lith Governorate is one of the research initiatives reflecting the strategic transformation taking place in the Kingdom’s agricultural sector.
The farm uses highly efficient, sustainable production models that combine scientific research with commercial application, contributing to strengthening the country’s food security system and the sustainability of water resources.
Located in the Ghumaiqa Center on an area of about 10 hectares, the cutting-edge farm is a testing platform for modern agricultural technologies that tackle the challenge of water scarcity.
The farm includes developed open fields and modern greenhouses, supported by smart irrigation encompassing drip and sprinkler irrigation alongside surface and subsurface technologies.
All the systems operate via smart controls that enable the monitoring of water consumption and ensure improved efficiency, thereby achieving a balance between agricultural production and water conservation.
The farm also uses treated and diluted low-salinity seawater.
It aims to diversify agricultural water sources, reduce reliance on freshwater, and open new horizons for agriculture in coastal and semi-arid environments.
The project represents a promising investment opportunity in the field of smart agriculture, enabling the development of commercially scalable production models, particularly for high-value vegetables and fruits, while reducing operational costs associated with water and energy, enhancing the economic feasibility of future agricultural projects.
In addition, the project contributes to transferring and localizing agricultural expertise, supporting local food supply chains, and creating an attractive environment for agricultural investment.
This aligns with Sustainable Development Goals and enhances the efficiency of the private sector in adopting innovative agricultural solutions.
Yahya bin Abdulrahman Al-Mahabi, the director of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture office in Al-Lith Governorate, told the Saudi Press Agency that the project represented the future of agriculture in the Kingdom.
He explained that the vision was based on investing in technology, enhancing the return on water per unit, and integrating scientific research with investment opportunities.
Al-Mahabi spoke of the experimental farm as a modern, scalable and replicable model applicable in several regions of the Kingdom, particularly in coastal environments.
Al-Mahabi highlighted the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture’s commitment to supporting distinctive projects that contributed to achieving food security while developing rural areas and enhancing agricultural production efficiency, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
