Smart surveillance in the Eastern Province: Covering 70 markets with the latest technologies

In a strategic move aimed at transforming the food security system, the Eastern Province branch of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture organized an intensive specialized workshop to train regulatory staff and compliance teams on the latest "smart monitoring" technologies. This initiative will cover more than 70 public markets and slaughterhouses in the region, with the goal of ensuring food safety and raising the quality standards offered to consumers.

Keeping pace with digital transformation and Vision 2030

This step is not isolated from the Kingdom's general direction, but rather aligns with the core objectives of Vision 2030, specifically the Digital Transformation Program and the Quality of Life Program. Through these programs, the Ministry aims to automate oversight processes and gradually phase out traditional inspection methods that rely solely on human judgment and visual observation, replacing them with precise technological tools that provide immediate and reliable results. This will enhance the efficiency of government performance and protect public health.

Strategic partnership and field training

Engineer Fahd Al-Hamzi, the branch's general manager, confirmed that the workshop focused primarily on enhancing the technical skills of specialists and enabling them to adapt modern technology in the field. The workshop also witnessed fruitful cooperation with the private sector, represented by Al-Bahatha Trading Establishment, in a model that reflects the integration of roles between the public and private sectors to combine commercial and technical expertise with regulatory work.

For his part, Dr. Ali Al-Hajji, Director of the Markets and Slaughterhouses Department at the branch, explained that the training program was not limited to theory but also included intensive practical and field applications. Inspectors were trained on the operation of modern monitoring equipment capable of detecting early signs of spoilage in meat and food that may not be visible to the naked eye, in addition to measuring temperature and humidity with extreme precision.

Economic and health dimensions

This development initiative has dimensions that extend beyond mere inspection; it contributes to reducing food waste through accurate detection and enhances consumer confidence in local markets. These technologies target a wide geographical area encompassing cities and governorates in the Eastern Province, as part of a comprehensive plan to standardize public health and safety standards. This ensures the availability of safe and wholesome food for citizens and residents and minimizes health violations before products reach the end consumer.