Launching crop identification to enhance food security

In a strategic move reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's commitment to developing the agricultural sector and achieving sustainable development, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture announced the launch of the Crop Identification, which included the documentation of 4,176 plant genetic resources. Dr. Nasser Al-Marri, Director General of the Seed and Seedling Center and Plant Genetic Resources Bank, affirmed that this initiative represents a qualitative leap in the Kingdom's agricultural digital transformation and directly embodies the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to enhance sustainability and governance of genetic resources by scientifically and sovereignly documenting and protecting national plant resources.

The roots of Saudi agriculture and Vision 2030 towards sustainability

Historically, agriculture in the Arabian Peninsula has faced harsh climatic challenges, including water scarcity and high temperatures. However, Saudi farmers have managed, over generations, to preserve local varieties adapted to these conditions. In the modern era, with the launch of Vision 2030, the Kingdom's strategy has shifted from traditional agriculture to the adoption of advanced agricultural technologies aimed at achieving food security without depleting natural resources. This initiative culminates decades of efforts in collecting and preserving seeds, as this agricultural heritage is now being transformed into a sophisticated digital database, ensuring the preservation of these assets for future generations.

Modern technology in the service of plant resources

The initiative is based on an integrated and innovative technological system. Dr. Al-Marri explained that each plant resource is assigned a genetic fingerprint and a digital record linked to a QR code. This precise technical procedure effectively contributes to establishing the Kingdom's intellectual property and sovereign rights over its plant resources. In addition, a technical card is prepared for each resource, containing its morphological and production data, and this card is linked via the "Nama" electronic platform. This linkage aims to standardize data and prevent the fragmentation of names, thereby enhancing the governance of seed and seedling trade across all regions of the Kingdom.

The impact of crop identification on food security locally and internationally

extends of crop identification beyond the local level, resonating regionally and internationally. Locally, the initiative supports crop genetic improvement programs, enabling research centers to develop plant varieties more adaptable to climatic conditions and resistant to diseases. Regionally and internationally, documenting these resources positions the Kingdom among the leading nations in biodiversity conservation and provides a scientific database that can contribute to global efforts to combat desertification and develop climate-resilient agriculture, thereby enhancing global food security by shifting from traditional seed preservation methods to field operations that increase production efficiency.

Numbers and statistics: Plant diversity supports the economy

The initiative's national database revealed figures reflecting the extent of plant diversity in the Kingdom, with 4,176 plant genetic resources documented to date. These resources are distributed as follows:

• 3,133 field crop suppliers: such as wheat, barley, sesame, sorghum, and millet.
• 434 varieties of vegetables: including promising and disease-resistant varieties for cultivation in protected and open environments.
• 294 suppliers of horticultural and fruit crops: which have already contributed to the production of 50,000 certified seedlings to support farmers.
• 246 resources of pasture and forest plants: allocated to support afforestation projects.
• 69 sources of medicinal and aromatic plants: opening up new horizons for high-value industrial and commercial investment.

Supporting the Saudi Green Initiative and combating desertification

This scientific reference database is the cornerstone of national afforestation programs, most notably the "Green Saudi Arabia" initiative, which aims to plant 10 billion trees. By providing accurate data on economically important and native plant varieties, the Kingdom ensures the selection of plants best suited to the local environment, thereby increasing the success rates of afforestation projects, combating desertification, and restoring vegetation cover.

In conclusion, the Seed and Seedling Center affirms its continued commitment to developing biotechnology tools and genetic fingerprinting. These ongoing efforts not only enhance the management of plant genetic resources but also preserve the Kingdom's agricultural biodiversity and directly support the goals of sustainable development and national food security, thus ensuring a prosperous and sustainable agricultural future for generations to come.