Saudi Arabia launches sustainable agricultural challenge to optimize global crop yield 

Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Al-Ibrahim announced the challenge during the WEF’s 14th annual meeting of the New Champions in Tianjin, China. (Shutterstock)
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Updated 29 June 2023
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Saudi Arabia launches sustainable agricultural challenge to optimize global crop yield 

  • Called the Smarter Climate Farmers Challenge, the initiative was launched in partnership with WEF's Uplink platform

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has gathered momentum in its commitment to sustainability by identifying and supporting top innovators of climate-smart agriculture solutions. 

Called the Smarter Climate Farmers Challenge, the initiative was launched by the Kingdom in partnership with Uplink, the open innovation platform of the World Economic Forum. 

Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Al-Ibrahim announced the challenge during the WEF’s 14th annual meeting of the New Champions in Tianjin, China. 

“In our pursuit of sustainable agriculture, we introduce the Smarter Climate Farmers Challenge. This global initiative calls for climate-smart agriculture solutions to improve food production, enhance farmers’ resilience and promote zero-emission practices,” said Al-Ibrahim. 

During his speech, the minister called for immediate action to address food security challenges, especially in the desert environment in Saudi Arabia. 

This includes cultivating food, combating prolonged drought, mitigating desertification and unpredictable rainfall patterns, he said.

“This action covers the supply chain promoting healthy consumption and reducing food loss,” the minister added. 

Al-Ibrahim further pointed out that Saudi Arabia has launched several initiatives to simultaneously ensure food security and sustainability. 

“We have introduced initiatives (such as) the Saudi Green Initiative, the National Food Security Strategy and the Water Conservation Program, and the Middle East Green Initiative. These efforts prioritize sustainability and address specific hurdles related to food security,” said Al-Ibrahim. 

The Kingdom is determined to drive a transformative shift in food production that can effectively tackle climate change and ensure a sustainable future for agriculture by prioritizing knowledge, resource efficiency, inclusive technology and innovative financing. 

During a meeting of G20 agriculture ministers in Indonesia in September 2022, Saudi Arabia launched a food security action plan in collaboration with its regional partners with an initial funding of $10 billion to tackle the global food supply crisis. 

During the event, Saudi Agriculture Minister Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli said that the Kingdom’s agricultural sector grew by more than 7.8 percent in 2022 compared to the previous year. 

He added that Saudi Arabia is applying modern techniques to boost its agriculture sector and reduce water wastage.


New Murabba seeks contractors for Mukaab Towers fit-outs: MEED

Updated 28 January 2026
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New Murabba seeks contractors for Mukaab Towers fit-outs: MEED

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s New Murabba Development Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, has issued a request for information to gauge the market for modular and offsite fit-out solutions for its flagship Mukaab development, MEED reported on Wednesday.

The RFI was released on Jan. 26, with submissions due by Feb. 11. NMDC has also scheduled a market engagement meeting during the first week of February to discuss potential solutions with prospective contractors.

Sources close to the project told MEED that NMDC is “seeking experienced suppliers and contractors to advise on the feasibility, constraints, and execution strategy for using non-load-bearing modular systems for the four corner towers framing the Mukaab structure.” The feedback gathered from these discussions will be incorporated into later design and procurement decisions.

The four towers — two residential (North and South) and two mixed-use (East and West) — are integral to the Mukaab’s architectural layout. Each tower is expected to rise approximately 375 meters and span over 80 stories. Key modular elements under consideration include bathroom pods, kitchen pods, dressing room modules, panelized steel partition systems, and other offsite-manufactured fit-out solutions.

Early works on the Mukaab were completed last year, with NMDC preparing to award the estimated $1 billion contract for the main raft works. This was highlighted in a presentation by NMDC’s chief project delivery officer on Sept. 9, 2025, during the Future Projects Forum in Riyadh.

Earlier this month, US-based Parsons Corp. was awarded a contract by NMDC to provide design and construction technical support. Parsons will act as the lead design consultant for infrastructure, delivering services covering public buildings, infrastructure, landscaping, and the public realm at New Murabba. The firm will also support the development of the project’s downtown experience, which spans 14 million sq. meters of residential, workplace, and entertainment space.

The Parsons contract follows NMDC’s October 2025 agreements with three other US-based engineering firms for design work across the development. New York-headquartered Kohn Pedersen Fox was appointed to lead early design for the first residential community, while Aecom and Jacobs were selected as lead design consultants for the Mukaab district.

In August 2025, NMDC signed a memorandum of understanding with Falcons Creative Group, another US-based firm, to develop the creative vision and immersive experiences for the Mukaab project. Meanwhile, Beijing-based China Harbour Engineering Co. completed the excavation works for the Mukaab, and UAE-headquartered HSSG Foundation Contracting executed the foundation works.