New Vision for Agricultural Development in Kuwait

As part of its commitment to promoting agricultural awareness and sharing expertise, the Kuwait Society of Agricultural Engineers organized an educational seminar titled “Agriculture in Kuwait: A New Vision,” presented by Engineer Mohammad Ibrahim Al-Fraih on Monday, February 10, 2025, at the Society’s headquarters in the Keifan area, Block 3. The seminar saw a distinguished turnout, led by the Association’s Chairman, Engineer Abbas Hussein, and a select group of individuals interested in agricultural affairs and specialists in the field. Engineer Al-Fraih began his lecture by discussing his extensive experience spanning more than 42 years in the field of agriculture, noting the challenges facing Kuwait’s agricultural sector and the importance of adopting new visions to develop this vital sector. He emphasized the need to utilize modern technologies to enhance agricultural production efficiency and improve the quality of local products, with a focus on sustainability and the conservation of environmental resources. Greenhouses: Specifications and Benefits During the lecture, Al-Fraih addressed the importance of greenhouses as an effective means of coping with Kuwait’s challenging climatic conditions, noting that these structures help provide a suitable agricultural environment year-round. Al-Fraih outlined the ideal specifications for greenhouses, explaining that they must be durable and resistant to high temperatures, while providing an advanced ventilation system to control temperature and humidity. He also emphasized their role in increasing productivity and improving the quality of agricultural crops. He also presented a selection of agricultural greenhouses built in Al-Wafra and Abdali that did not meet proper operational specifications regarding material quality and design, leading to increased production costs, lower yields, ongoing maintenance expenses, and higher water and electricity costs. To reinforce his point with practical examples, Al-Fraih presented photos of glass greenhouses established in Kuwait in 1982 that met international standards and continue to operate efficiently to this day, reflecting the effectiveness of this type of greenhouse in addressing the challenges of the desert climate and ensuring the continuity of high-quality agricultural production. Agricultural Product Sorting and Packaging Project In another part of the lecture, Al-Fraih discussed the agricultural product sorting and packaging project, explaining that this project is an important step toward improving the food supply chain in Kuwait. He explained that sorting and packaging operations help maintain the quality of agricultural products and facilitate their marketing both locally and globally. He also noted that this project supports local farmers by providing modern packaging and distribution solutions, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of Kuwaiti products in foreign markets. Conclusion and Recommendations Engineer Al-Fraih concluded his lecture with a set of important recommendations, most notably the need for joint efforts between the public and private sectors to support modern agricultural projects and adopt policies that promote agricultural sustainability. He also called for encouraging investment in advanced agricultural technologies to ensure food security in Kuwait. The lecture received a strong response from the audience, who praised Eng. Al-Fraih’s vision for the future of agriculture in Kuwait and expressed interest in implementing the proposed ideas to boost local production and achieve self-sufficiency.