As part of the Smart Farm Package Export Promotion Project, the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs from Oct. 19-21 held the 2025 Saudi K-Smart Farm Roadshow in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Shown are participating companies holding consultations with Estidamah, aka the National Research and Development Center for Sustainable Agriculture, a Saudi government-run agricultural think tank. (KOTRA)

By Yoo Yeon Gyeong

Domestic smart farm know-how is considered a solution for agricultural innovation in the desert country of Saudi Arabia.

The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on Oct. 22 said they held the 2025 Saudi K-Smart Farm Roadshow in the Saudi capital of Riyadh from Oct. 19-21 as part of the Smart Farm Packcage Export Promotion Project.

Nine Korean companies joined the event to discuss export and technical cooperation with Saudi buyers and national think tanks, as well as attend Saudi Agriculture 2025, the Arab country's largest exhibition of its kind.

Consisting of Nongshim, Pomit, IoCrops and KS Farm, the K-Smart Farm Consortium will work with the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture to build a K-Smart Farm demo greenhouse. To cover 2,000 square m in Riyadh, the facility is set for completion by the first quarter next year and will cultivate leafy vegetables and fruits over the next five years.

"Investments in the Middle East are growing to raise food security even in desert environments," said KOTRA Vice President Kim Myung-hee, who also heads the agency's Innovation and Growth Division. 

"Through this project, we will expand cooperation for Korean smart farms optimized for water, energy and climate conditions throughout the Middle East."

dusrud21@korea.kr