Global companies specializing in modern agriculture and greenhouses are showcasing, within the activities of the Saudi Agriculture Exhibition 2026 held in Riyadh between October 19 and 22, 2026, technology solutions aimed at addressing water scarcity and high temperatures. These systems are being presented as practical tools to enhance food security in the Kingdom, according to a report by Sabq newspaper.
The solutions on display are based on hydroponic farming and greenhouse systems that reduce irrigation water consumption by 30 to 40%, through alternative growing media that collect excess water, treat it, and regulate fertilizer levels before pumping it back to the plants. This raises water-use efficiency and limits waste in an environment characterized by scarce water resources.
Regarding productivity, Engineer Ali Maher, who works at one of the global companies participating in the exhibition, said that "expanding modern agriculture and greenhouse technologies represents one of the important solutions to address the challenges of water scarcity and high temperatures in the Kingdom." He explained that a square meter in traditional systems produces about 20 kilograms, while modern systems raise that figure to about 45 kilograms—an increase exceeding 100%—with a future target of reaching 60 kilograms for tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and other vegetables.
The economic viability of these projects is linked to the size of cultivated areas, as projects of about 10 hectares allow shared use of water treatment stations, fertigation, and irrigation systems, distributing operating and equipment costs over a larger production area compared with small projects, according to Maher, who revealed that strategic partnerships are being concluded at the exhibition with entities operating in the Kingdom's agricultural sector.
These technologies are geared toward supporting self-sufficiency rates in vegetables. Maher estimated the current rate at about 60%, with an aspiration to raise it to between 80 and 85% by 2027—a goal that gives the solutions presented at the Saudi Agriculture Exhibition 2026 a dimension beyond technical display, toward a broader food and strategic path.