Kuwait mulls investment hike in agriculture sector

Kuwait is embarking on a significant reform to bolster its agricultural sector and ensure food security, a move driven by a recent government report highlighting a steep decline in agricultural investment.

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Food security top priority in new reforms era

Foreign direct investment in agriculture has fallen to a mere 0.88 percent of total incoming investments, totaling just KD17,341,446 million. In response, the government has outlined a two-pronged strategy: attracting major international partnerships and nurturing domestic talent and expertise.

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the country put food security on top of its priorities; hence, it laid down a plan within the new reform era.

This comprehensive plan aims to secure vital supplies, establish flexible mechanisms to counter geopolitical risks and global supply chain disruptions, and modernize legislation to attract capital. It also focuses on transferring advanced agricultural technologies, including hydroponics and vertical farming, to enhance efficiency and sustainability. The initiative will offer unprecedented facilities and incentives to Kuwaiti farmers, subsidize essential inputs like fertilizers and seeds, and protect local products to boost their competitiveness.

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the government exerted tremendous efforts to expand the base of local and foreign direct investments in the agricultural sector through catalyst mechanisms.

The government is also pushing for the adoption of smart agriculture, emphasizing technologies like hydroponic and vertical farming, and smart greenhouses that significantly reduce water consumption. Public-private partnerships are crucial, with plans for major government projects in production and storage, open to management and development by local and international companies. The ultimate goal is to transition Kuwait from a food importer to a food exporter, addressing the warning signs of declining investment and ensuring a robust national food supply.

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the new government vision will not only attract foreign investors, as it will include a comprehensive empowerment plan for Kuwaiti farmers to provide unprecedented facilities and incentives to raise the efficiency of local production and enhance the competitiveness of Kuwaiti products.