SABIC Highlights Experience in Agriculture Research, Farm Outreach at Fertilizer Forum in Cairo

SABIC highlighted its successes in agriculture research and farm outreach at the 23rd Arab Fertilizer Forum and Exhibition held in Cairo from January 31 to February 2, under the aegis of the Arab Fertilizer Association. SABIC is also the Platinum sponsor of the event.

A SABIC delegation, led by Anas Kentab, Executive Vice President, Agri-Nutrients, presented two papers on these expert areas and underlined the company’s leadership role in supporting the global fertilizer industry.

In a paper presented on behalf of the company, Ahmed Bin Dajam, Lead Scientist, outlined SABIC’s key role in farm research through the Estidamah Agricultural Research Center in Riyadh, which it has established in association with the Ministry of Agriculture, with the primary goal of promoting sustainable agriculture in Saudi Arabia.

Explaining the strategic direction of Estidamah, he said the center aims at identifying technological advancements and developments that benefit the Ministry of Environment, Water & Agriculture and its partners, Saudi agriculture companies and producers, related agriculture sector providers, the Saudi economy and society.

The center seeks to establish its position as a leading institution in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East Region as an applied research institute that provides a range of agriculture-related solutions to public and private agencies at the national and international level. Through research, it identifies practical, applicable solutions for the development, improvement and implementation of agriculture technologies in the Kingdom, Dajaam said.

In another paper, Dakheel Al-Habeeb, Sales Account Manager, Agri-Nutrients, highlighted SABIC’s recent Agricultural Awareness Caravan initiative in support of the date farming community in Saudi Arabia in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and the Arab Fertilizer Association.

The Caravan, which began its month-long journey from the SABIC headquarters on November 13, 2016, and toured Al-Riyadh, Al-Ahsa, Qassim, and Madinah regions, provided advisory services to date palm farmers with the aim of raising their efficiency in farming methods and help seek solutions to their problems in the field, Al-Habeeb pointed out.

The Caravan comprised five vehicles specially equipped with supplies and specialized equipment, including an internet-enabled computer, audio-visual systems, and a mobile lab to analyze soil and water samples for possible on-the-spot solutions.

Al-Habeeb further told the audience that, through the Caravan initiative, SABIC had reached out to nearly 900 farmers at around 60 farms. “It was an important tool to achieving SABIC’s 2025 strategy through communication and engagement with farmers, and was a step towards further enhancing the ongoing strategic cooperation between the Ministry and SABIC for the benefit of the domestic agricultural sector,” he said.

The Arab Fertilizer Association is a non-governmental international organization operating under the Council of Arab Economic Unity and exercising the status of observer at the Economic and Social Council affiliated to the Arab League. It is a platform where Arab companies work and get to know the latest technological developments in the fertilizer industry.

ENDS
Hisham Al-Joher
Director, Global Media & Internal Communications