Building resilient food systems starts with supporting farmers

We have much to thank our farmers for. Their hands cultivate the bountiful horticultural wonders that are ubiquitous in the Middle East. From date palm cultivation across the Arabian Peninsula, the roses of Taif and the colorful fruits and vegetables grown in North Africa to the innovative hydroponic farming methods in the UAE and the seasonal produce of the Levant, the region’s botanical beauty is boundless.

It is noteworthy that 13 percent of the total employment in the Middle East and North Africa is within the agricultural sector, making it a vital sector and an important livelihood pathway, in addition to contributing to regional food and water security. In certain countries, this percentage is even higher, with agriculture employing 19 percent of the workforce in Egypt, 14 percent in Tunisia and 31 percent in Morocco.

Yet, the region’s climate is proving to be perilous to the agricultural industry, making farming a rather difficult feat. Statistics published by the World Bank state that only 4.8 percent of the entire region is arable land. And a study published by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia reported that 82 percent of the MENA region’s land is impacted by various forms of land degradation, with deforestation, overgrazing, desertification and soil erosion being key contributors. Over the past two decades, land degradation in the region has risen significantly.

Climate change is exacerbating these issues by increasing the frequency of extreme weather events. Extreme heat and low precipitation levels, in addition to limited access to sustainable water sources, make irrigation difficult, leading to decreased crop yields. Additionally, farmers often lack access to modern agricultural technology, financing and markets, limiting their productivity and income streams.

Considering the region’s challenging environmental landscape and an ever-looming food and water security crisis, it is pivotal that governments support farmers in boosting agricultural productivity in order to bolster local supplies and reduce reliance on food imports, especially as global supply chains can often be disrupted.

The region’s climate is proving to be perilous to the agricultural industry, making farming a rather difficult feat

Sara Al-Mulla

At the heart of such support, policymakers should create public awareness campaigns revolving around the challenges and rewards of working in the agricultural industry. It is vital to foster a new generation of farmers and agricultural professionals who can take the industry to new heights. This requires integrating agricultural education into school curricula, thereby cultivating an understanding of and appreciation for the natural environments of the MENA region. Classes can introduce students to practical farming programs, include STEM-based agriculture courses, and teach entrepreneurship in agribusiness to engage students early on. Public campaigns could showcase stories of local farmers who are contributing to the region’s food security, with the aim of repositioning the image of farming as a high-tech, impactful career.

Agricultural technologies are revolutionizing farming methods in the Middle East and many governments are rapidly adopting these solutions to boost agricultural productivity amid the region’s harsh climate. Impressive examples are aplenty.

Last year, AeroFarms, a US company specializing in aeroponics — a method of growing plants without soil in a nutrient-rich mist — inaugurated in Abu Dhabi the world’s largest indoor vertical farm for research and development. It aims to advance sustainable agriculture in arid climates, supported by a $150 million investment from the Abu Dhabi Investment Office. By harnessing emerging technologies, farmers can maintain production levels while withstanding the region’s scarce water resources, extreme heat and lack of arable lands.

To harness the marvels of these many breakthrough technologies, grassroots workshops should be organized to train local farmers how to operate them. It is also critical that regional governments invest in research and development on the subject of climate-resilient crops, technologies and facilities that are suited to the region’s environmental conditions. Current excellent examples include the government-backed National Agricultural Research Center in Jordan and the Agricultural Research Center in Egypt.

There are more than 1.2 million agricultural cooperatives worldwide and, collectively, they offer a practical way to empower small-scale farmers by pooling resources, lowering costs and boosting profit margins, improving bargaining powers, sharing equipment and expanding access to markets. As such, legislation, policies and programs should support agricultural cooperatives in the region in utilizing their collective strengths to operate efficiently and effectively.

It is imperative that governments offer social safety nets for farmers to ensure they can operate sustainably over the long term

Sara Al-Mulla

As the industry sometimes faces unpredictable scenarios, it is imperative that governments offer social safety nets for farmers to ensure they can operate sustainably over the long term and build the necessary resilience for such a vital sector. Many countries around the world support the concept of a basic income support for sustainability, known as BISS, which is widely implemented in the EU. It provides unconditional cash transfers to ensure a minimum standard of living for farmers, while encouraging them to adopt sustainable practices.

Government subsidies can help reduce the cost of basic farming inputs, such as seeds and fertilizers. Furthermore, insurance schemes are imperative in protecting against losses from natural disasters and pests, offering the assurance needed by local farmers. Grants can provide capital for investing in equipment, infrastructure and the adoption of sustainable farming practices.

A great regional example comes from the Saudi Agricultural Development Fund, a government credit institution focused on financing a range of agricultural activities throughout the Kingdom. Its goal is to advance the agricultural sector and enhance production efficiency through the application of advanced scientific methods and modern technologies.

By adopting these many innovative solutions, the agricultural industry can boost its resilience against the region’s challenging environmental conditions.

• Sara Al-Mulla is an Emirati civil servant with an interest in human development policy and children’s literature. She can be contacted at www.amorelicious.com.