Korea has officially begun the construction of a state-of-the-art demonstration smart farm in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking a strategic move to establish a strong presence for Korean smart farming technologies within the Middle Eastern market.
A ceremony commemorating the commencement of construction was held on April 21st by Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA), attended by key government and industry representatives from both Korea and Saudi Arabia.
The event saw the participation of Park Beomsu, Korea’s Vice Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and Mansour Hilal Al Mushaiti, Saudi Arabia’s Vice Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture. Both nations affirmed that this project underscores their shared commitment to expanding smart farming practices to bolster food security and agreed to foster continued bilateral cooperation in this vital sector.
This initiative is spearheaded by MAFRA and the Korea Agriculture Technology Promotion Agency, which are actively developing demonstration smart farms in key overseas export markets to showcase Korea’s advanced smart-farming capabilities. The Riyadh project represents the fourth such demonstration farm, following successful establishments in Kazakhstan, Vietnam, and Australia.
The smart farm in Riyadh will be a comprehensive complex spanning approximately 2,000 square meters, incorporating both vertical farms and advanced glass greenhouses. It will feature a wide array of cutting-edge smart-farming technologies, including sophisticated agricultural robots and precision environment-controlling solutions.
Construction of the Riyadh smart farm is slated for completion in December 2025. Strategically located within the National Agricultural and Animal Resources Research Centre, the facility is anticipated to become a central hub for the advancement and adoption of smart farming practices throughout Saudi Arabia.
MAFRA stated that the smart farm complex is specifically designed to act as a catalyst for the broader adoption of smart farming technologies within Saudi Arabia, ultimately enhancing the nation’s food security. Furthermore, it is intended to serve as a crucial entry point for the export of Korean smart farms and related technologies to the wider Middle Eastern region.
“The Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, represents a significant market for South Korea, accounting for approximately 60 per cent of our smart farm exports and construction orders over the past two years,” commented Vice Minister Park. “With the commencement of this smart farm construction, our ministry will further strengthen collaboration with the Saudi Arabian government to ensure the accelerated export of Korean smart farming solutions to the Middle East.”
