Outlook of Protected Agriculture in GCC Countries:

Constraints and opportunities for greenhouse production systems

Ahmed T. Moustafa - ICARDA

Unlocking the potential of Protected Agriculture in the GCC countries: Cutting water consumption

while supporting improved nutrition and food security”September 14-15, 2015

Challenges to Agricultural Development

• Extreme aridity

• Limited arable land

• Water Scarcity & Limited renewable

water resource

• Rapid increase in population

• Research infrastructure & Human

Resources

Asia (exclude ME) 3,947.6

Middle East & North Africa 1,397.5

Europe 10,685.7

North America 16,557.8

Central America and Carrabin 6,653.4

Sub-Sahara Africa 6,956.6

Oceanic 52,673.8South America 44,816.4

Renewable water resources per capita (m3/person/year)

Middle East & North Africa (exclude AP);

1295

Arabian Peninsual, 100

What about Food and

Food Security

GCC is the world's biggest importer of food(WTO, 2010)

Food Production

10%

Food import90%

Gulf News, February 17, 2010

Annual GCC Food Imports (US$ bn) and Projection for 2020

2007 2008 2009 2010 2015 2020

2024 23 24

34

49

The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2009

Rapid Population Growth in the AP

1950 2007 20500

20000

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000

140000

‘000

Peo

ple

8,336 ,000 1950

58,544,000 2007

123,946,000 2050

Population Billiton Vol. 6 No. 2 June 2007

•Limited arable lands•Little water•Harsh climate conditions

What to grow and how???

Food and Nutritious Security

2001 2005 2007 2020 2030 20500

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

300,000

350,000

400,000

450,000

35,68475,119

103,156

234,966

337,441

416,241

Vegetable import to GCC and Projection for 2050

Calculated based on FAO STAT 2008

ton

Protected Agriculture

Yield (kg/m2) of selected vegetable crops in UAE under greenhouses and in open fields, 2004/05 season.

Source: MEW, 2005

cucumber

pepper

sweet melon

bean

squash

eggplant

Okra

Leafy green vegtables

0 2 4 6 8 10 12

OF Productio Kg/m2GH Porduction Kg/m2

Productivity of 1 m3 of water in GCCProtected Agriculture Vs. Open Field

TomatoPepper

PA 28.2kg

PA 16.7kg

OF 2.8kg

OF 1.2kg

ICARDA/QNFSP 2010

total cost (AED/m2)

Land productivity (kg/m2)

Total income (AED/m2)

Net benefit (AED/m2)

21.7317.36

43.40

21.67

6.414.00

10.00

3.59

Cooled GHOF

Good return on InvestmentTomato production cost, productivity and profit

in Cooled GH and Open field in UAE

3.4 times more cost compare to open field

6.2 times more income compare to

open field

Source: Hamranieh Research Station, UAE* Cost including GH depreciation

Cooled GH Vs. Net House

Source: AQAPC

Cucumber cost, productivity and profit under PA in Cooled GH and Net House in Qatar

2721

14

59

32

15 1612

45

30

Total cost(QR/m2)

Yield(kg/m2)

Waterproductivity

(kg/m3)

Total income(QR/m2)

Net benefit(QR/m2)

Cooled GHNet house

* Cost including GH depreciation

46% less cost/investment

Major Issues

Research Development

•Production techniques•GH management•Productivities/unit area & water•GH structure and cooling systems

• Political wills and support• Technical advisory Services • Marketing• Subsidies (Direct & indirect)

Thank you