The function of the Ministry of Agriculture and Water is to implement government economic plans and programs concerned with agriculture, water development, desalination, irrigation and conservation of scarce water.
This Ministry is also responsible for animal resources, fisheries, grain silos and locust control.
It also takes charge of the implementation of all aspects of the Kingdom′s agricultural policy. The Ministry takes direct responsibility for irrigation and drainage projects if they are beyond the means of local farming communities and, through the Arable Land Distribution Scheme, identifies land suitable for reclamation and allocation to Saudi citizens for agricultural applications.
The Ministry currently consists of five main sectors:
1. Agriculture,
2. Water,
3. Research,
4. Fish Resources,
5. Financial and Administrative Affairs.
History
In Order to develop the agricultural sector of the Kingdom, the government established the General Directorate of Agriculture in 1948; later converted to the Ministry of Agriculture and Water in 1954. By Royal Decree the Ministry started operation through six agricultural units in Riyadh, Kharj, Hasa, Madina, Jizan and Buraida. A special office for water and dams was also established.
In 1961 two deputy ministries were introduced: The Deputy Ministry for Agricultural Affairs and the Deputy Ministry for Water Affairs.
In 1965 the Higher Committee issued a resolution for Administrative Reform under which the Ministry of Agriculture and Water was divided into three main sectors:
1- Agricultural Affairs sector headed by the Deputy Minister for Agricultural Affairs
2- Water Affairs sector headed by the Deputy Minister for Water Affairs.
3- Financial and Administrative Affairs sector headed by the Director General of Administration.
In 1970 the Directorate General for Desalination was converted to an agency for desalination affairs, and in 1974 the said agency was converted into the Saline Water Conversion Corporation. In 1977 an agency for research affairs and agriculture development was established. A sector for fish resources was also established under the chairmanship of the Deputy Minister for Fish Resources Affairs.
The documentation was gathered with the best efforts of researchers and scholars, in neutral and scientific spirit. We welcome all clarifications, corrections and improvements for best services. A Concept Team makes every effort to ensure, but cannot guarantee, the accuracy at all times of this information. Hyperlinks to or from other websites imply neither responsibility for, nor approval of, the information contained in those websites by A Concept. Copyright A Concept mafhoum "the Arab Decision Makers Project"
Saudi Arabia \ Government \ Council of Ministers \ Ministry of Agriculture
