With thousands of acres of land available for cultivation, Kuwait’s farmers have been on a primary mission to increase the local production of fruits and vegetables to ensure Kuwait’s food security. Although Kuwait is a dry desert environment with extremely hot and dry summers, the harsh climatic conditions did not deter Kuwaiti farmers. At the Wafra farms, farmers are using modernized equipment with the latest agricultural technology to optimize production quantity and quality.

These agriculturists employ a large team of experienced agricultural engineers and workers to ensure the best quality standards are implemented. There are large numbers of greenhouses that can withstand Kuwait’s high temperatures. “Because of the weather conditions in Kuwait, it is not easy to do farming here, but we are trying our best. That’s why we have these nurseries. We are passionate about the job we do,” Khaled Yousef, a Kuwaiti farmer, told the Kuwait Times.

Agriculture in Kuwait still faces momentous challenges due to its arid climate and limited freshwater resources. However, there are efforts to promote agriculture through innovations like hydroponics, desalination, and using treated wastewater for irrigation.

“Ordinarily, date palm is our traditional crop, but some of Kuwait’s farmers are now cultivating vegetables, fruits, and fodder crops etc. Kuwait’s farming primarily revolves around date palms, which have historical and cultural significances in this region,” another farmer, Ahmed Abdulaziz, said.

At Wafra, some farmers deal with livestock while others grow vegetables, fruits, and fodder crops using innovative techniques such as hydroponics and greenhouse farming. However, farming in Kuwait faces challenges due to water scarcity, shortage of arable land, and high temperatures. To overcome these challenges, the government supports agricultural projects that utilize treated wastewater and desalination technology for irrigation.

Kuwait imports a large portion of its food supply to meet domestic demand, and agriculturists are now using nursery farming to augment and boost local production. These farmers are focusing on cultivating plants, especially ornamental plants and trees, to meet the demand. Nurseries in Kuwait produce a variety of plants, including flowers, shrubs, and trees suitable for the desert climate. “We are trying our best against all odds. The joy of providing food for our dear nation is overwhelming,” Ahmed added.

At the vegetable market in Wafra, the Kuwait Times chatted with some people who drove down there to purchase vegetables. “We prefer organic foodstuffs due to health and environmental concerns. The demand for organic products is driven by an increasing awareness of the benefits of pesticide-free food and sustainable farming practices. The good thing here is that we interact with the farmers and pick up the items directly from the farms. It is fun and healthy,” Fahad Talah and his family explained.

A large portion of Kuwait’s land is considered not agriculturally viable. The agricultural areas are located in Wafra, in the south of Kuwait; Al-Abdali, in the north of Kuwait; and Al-Sulaibiya. There are around 2,880 farms in these areas. Irrigation and protected greenhouse production are heavily rely on greenhouses and nurseries due to environmental and water resource constraints.

Kuwait’s 2035 vision aims to transform the country into a financial and trade hub regionally as well as internationally and improve the business environment to attract investors globally. One of the major pillars of Kuwait’s National Development Plan is to achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. Because Kuwait lacks sufficient natural freshwater resources or arable lands, the government recognizes the need to bring in dry land urban agriculture and innovative technologies, as well as other necessary resources and skilled labor, to enhance its food production.

There are several programs and organizations that work with and support the farming community in Kuwait, such as the Public Authority of Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAFR), the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR), and other governmental entities. Several of these organizations act as platforms for transferring agricultural technologies to farmers to improve farming practices by providing training and learning workshops.