Middle East & Africa Desert Farming Market, By Technique (Greenhouse, Hydroponics, Nano clay, Hydrogels, Others), By Crop Type (Dates, Alfalfa, Eggplant, Peppers, Tomatoes, Melon, Others), By Country, Competition Forecast & Opportunities 2028
Published Date: February - 2025 | Publisher: MIR | No of Pages: 320 | Industry: Agriculture | Format: Report available in PDF / Excel Format
View Details Buy Now 2890 Download Sample Ask for Discount Request CustomizationMiddle East & Africa Desert Farming Market, By Technique (Greenhouse, Hydroponics, Nano clay, Hydrogels, Others), By Crop Type (Dates, Alfalfa, Eggplant, Peppers, Tomatoes, Melon, Others), By Country, Competition Forecast & Opportunities 2028
Middle East & Africa desert farming market was valued at USD 63.06 million in 2021 and is predicted to grow at CAGR of 5.71% through 2028. This is attributed to the rapid change in the climatic conditions in the region.
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Growing Water Scarcity to Increase the Adoption of Desert Framing
Rising water scarcity across the region is one of the main factors bolstering the growth of the Middle East & Africa desert farming market. The Middle East and Africa region is one of the driest and most water-stressed areas in the world. The population in the region is growing rapidly, and with it, the demand for water for domestic, industrial, and agricultural purposes is also on the rise. However, the region has limited freshwater resources, with only about 1% of the world's total water resources available for its use. This has led to overexploitation of groundwater and surface water sources, leading to the depletion of aquifers and rivers, and causing serious environmental problems such as land subsidence and saltwater intrusion. According to the World Resources Institute, in 2019, 12 of the 17 most water-stressed countries in the world are in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The region is facing severe water shortages, due to which conventional agriculture practices are not practiced, as they require a significant amount of water. Therefore, some of the desert farming techniques, such as drip irrigation, mulching, and others are used to conserve water, control soil erosion, and increase productivity.
According to the World Resources
Download Free Sample Report Technological Advancement to Boost the Desert Farming Market
Advances in technology have made it possible to grow crops in harsh desert environments. The growing technological advancements are expected to fuel the growth of the desert farming market in the upcoming years. Advancements such as drip irrigation, soil moisture sensors, shade netting, and others are making it possible to reduce the food shortage in the regions. Also, these advancements are consistently being evolved to maintain their purpose of increasing and improving the outputs of the agricultural sector in the region meanwhile utilizing lesser energy and more sustainable methods of agriculture. Modern technologies have also been launched to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of desert farming with time. For example, drip irrigation systems, which use a network of tubes and emitters to deliver water directly to the plant roots, are more efficient than traditional irrigation methods and reduce water loss through evaporation. In addition, hydroponic systems, which grow plants in nutrient-rich water instead of soil, are used to grow crops in areas which have poor soil quality or high salinity. Solar-powered desalination plants have also been developed to provide freshwater for irrigation in areas with no access to groundwater. Tal-Ya, an Israeli agricultural technology solution company, created a distinctive, patented polypropylene membrane system that covers the root system of the plant, guiding water and fertilizer to the root while shielding the surrounding soil from weeds and adverse weather, hence lowering the chance of wastage of both water and fertilizer. Liquid Nano Clay (LNC), another relatively contemporary technique, has recently been employed in the Emirati desert farms. By combining water and clay nanoparticles with sand particles, a process known as LNC, coats sand with a thin layer of clay. Sand particles cannot effectively retain water because they are loose, but this treatment enables them to do so. In its trial run in the Emirati farms, LNC reduced water use without the use of any chemicals by more than 50%. International technology like this offers hope for farming in Saudi Arabia and other water-scarce regions that are mostly dependent on food imports.
Growing Demand of Food Security to Promote the Practice of Desert Farming
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For instance, the Sahel region of Africa, which is one of the driest and most arid regions in the world, has adopted agroforestry techniques, which involve planting trees alongside crops to improve soil fertility, conserve water, and provide shade. The use of drought-resistant crops, such as millet, sorghum, and cowpeas, has also helped farmers produce food in a challenging environment.
Increasing Government Support to Enhance the Market of Desert Farming
In Egypt, the government has launched the Toshka Project, which aims to reclaim desert land and turn it into arable land for agriculture. The project involves the construction of a canal to bring water from the Nile River to the desert, as well as the use of advanced irrigation techniques and the cultivation of crops that are adapted to the arid environment.
The United Arab Emirates has also invested in desert farming initiatives, such as the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology's pilot project, which uses renewable energy to power a seawater greenhouse in the desert. The greenhouse uses a combination of solar energy and seawater to grow crops, making it a sustainable and efficient way to cultivate food in arid regions.
The government of Qatar has also launched the Qatar National Food Security Programme, which aims to achieve food security by 2030 through various initiatives, including investing in desert farming. The programme includes the establishment of a research center for desert farming and the promotion of innovative agricultural technologies that are adapted to the arid climate.
These government initiatives have been successful in promoting and supporting desert farming as a means of achieving food security in the Middle East and Africa. Desert farming has the potential to transform arid and semi-arid regions into productive agricultural areas, providing a sustainable solution to the challenges of water scarcity and food insecurity, thus bolstering the growth of market in the forecast period.
Recent Developments
- In 2020, Morocco launched a new program to support small farmers in adopting sustainable agriculture practices, including desert farming techniques.
- In 2020, the Saudi Arabian government announced plans to invest in new agricultural technologies, including hydroponic farming and vertical farming, to increase food production in arid regions.
- In 2020, the United Arab Emirates launched the "Green Emirates" initiative to promote sustainable agriculture practices and reduce the country's dependence on imported food.
Market Segmentation
The Middle East & Africa desert farming market is segmented on the basis of technique, crop type, competitional landscape, and country analysis. Based on technique, the market is further fragmented into greenhouse, hydroponics, nano clay, hydrogels, and others. Based on crop type, the market is segmented into dates, alfalfa, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, melon, and others.
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Market Segmentation
The Middle East & Africa desert farming market is segmented on the basis of technique, crop type, competitional landscape, and country analysis. Based on technique, the market is further fragmented into greenhouse, hydroponics, nano clay, hydrogels, and others. Based on crop type, the market is segmented into dates, alfalfa, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, melon, and others. In terms of countries, the market is segmented into Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Algeria, Egypt, and Oman.
The Middle East and Africa (MEA) desert farming market has attracted several key players implementing innovative agricultural techniques to address food security and environmental challenges in arid regions. Notable entities include
1. Olam Agri A significant player in the MEA desert farming sector, Olam Agri focuses on trading and processing grains, oilseeds, and edible oils. In February 2025, Saudi Agricultural & Livestock Investment Company (Salic), a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, acquired a 44.6% controlling stake in Olam Agri for $1.78 billion, valuing the company at $4 billion. This acquisition enhances Saudi Arabia's access to agricultural supply chains across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
2. Sahara Forest Project The Sahara Forest Project is an initiative aimed at transforming desert areas into fertile land using sustainable technologies. In 2021, the project was launched in Jordan, employing seawater greenhouses, concentrated solar power, and desert revegetation to enable agriculture in arid regions.
3. SEKEM Founded in 1977 by Dr. Ibrahim Abouleish, SEKEM is an Egyptian organization dedicated to sustainable agriculture and cultural renewal. Located northeast of Cairo, SEKEM operates biodynamic farms and various trading companies, promoting organic farming and social development in Egypt
4. International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) ICARDA is a non-profit agricultural research institute focused on improving livelihoods in dry areas. It conducts research on crop varieties, water harvesting, and conservation agriculture, collaborating with national programs and institutions across the Middle East and North Africa.
5. Sharq El Owainat Project Located in Egypt's New Valley Governorate, the Sharq El Owainat project is a desert land reclamation initiative that began in 1991. It involves cultivating desert land using underground water sources, transforming barren areas into productive agricultural zones.
Company Profile
Some of the leading companies in the Middle East & Africa desert farming market includes, Pure Harvest Smart Farms, Desert Agriculture, Desert Control Middle East LLC, Edama Organic Solutions, Red Sea Farms,, Al Dahra Holding LLC, Netafim Ltd.
|
Attribute |
Details |
|
Market size value in 2022 |
USD 65.56 million |
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Revenue Forecast in 2028 |
USD 90.21 million |
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Growth Rate |
5.71% |
|
Base Year |
2022 |
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Historic Data |
2018-2021 |
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Estimated Year |
2023 |
|
Forecast Period |
2024-2028 |
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Quantitative Units |
Revenue in USD Million, and CAGR for 2018-2022 and 2023-2028 |
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Report coverage |
Revenue forecast, company share, competitive landscape, growth factors, and trends |
|
Segments covered |
Technique Crop Type |
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Country scope |
Israel; United Arab Emirates; Saudi Arabia; Algeria; Egypt; Oman |
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Key companies profiled |
Pure Harvest Smart Farms, Desert Agriculture, Desert Control Middle East LLC, Edama Organic Solutions, Red Sea Farms, Al Dahra Holding LLC, Netafim Ltd |
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Customization scope |
10% free report customization with purchase. Addition or alteration to country, regional & segment scope. |
|
Pricing and purchase options |
Avail customized purchase options to meet your exact research needs. Explore purchase options |
|
Delivery Format |
PDF and Excel through Email (We can also provide the editable version of the report in PPT/Word format on special request) |
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