Why does NEOM project need more focus on Agriculture at initial planning ?

Saudi Arabia is investing in future ready city. As projected this city will have all the solution of problems in current urban cities. This city project cover all the horizons like manufacturing, water, technology, digitalization, entertainment and culture, education & research design and construction, food , energy, sports, tourism, mobility, health wellness & biotech, financial services , media etc. Might be the leadership of the project have some more idea.

One of the major aspect has been covered in this project or highlighted that is “Agriculture”. Though this is a Urban Development project, Agriculture is always considered as Rural development task. Yes that is Agriculture can only be possible out of city limits. Traditionally Agriculture is associated with Food and Fiber requirements, in some part of world it is also linked with shelter.

NEOM is future ready infrastructure project. If balanced agriculture will be not included at initial stage then it might not find proper space for inclusion. In such big project food will be first requirement for the humans. Agriculture is the only answer of the healthy food. NEOM project must be self-reliant on food production. 

           
                Why does NEOM project  need more focus on Agriculture at initial planning ?

If We say food production then it will cover all the ingredients / parts of food like cereals, pulses, milk, dairy product, meat, vegetables, fruits, spices, green vegetables, mushroom, marine food. It is expected that NEOM project have source of these food items. If project can’t go for 100 % self-reliance then it must try to reach its maximum capacity in self-reliance in food production. 

Except source of healthy food, Agriculture can be solution of many urban problem in NEOM projects, This article is written in that aspect how proper planning for agriculture can provide solution for the urban problems.  

Waste Water Recycling and its use:  

Such a big project will produce a lot of waste water. This waste water can be recycled and reused in Agriculture. Excess recycled water can be stored and reused in Agriculture. This water can used for crop production, Dairy Farming, Green houses, Fruit production, Waste water discharges in water bodies is a big problem in current cities. But in NEOM project it can be reused in Agriculture and other farming.

Temperature Control

 The entire NEOM project will produce a lot of heat, like body heat, cooking, movement, frictions. Controlling the temperature in sustainable way will be big challenge. The heat can be captured and it can be diverted to agriculture. Agriculture production requires optimum temperature for the different farming. Farming consumes a lot of heat for the photo synthesis and water evaporation.  The produced energy from NEOM project can be used in Agriculture and Thus Agriculture will control the temperature of the Project. 

Carbon Capture 

The entire project will produce a lot of carbon and carbon di oxide. The Carbon dioxide can be used and captured in agriculture. For future ready project carbon emission should be under control. Agriculture can be helpful for carbon capture for such big Project. If the Project is planned properly for the control of carbon foot print at initial stage then agriculture will be very helpful in this aspect.

Climate Control: 

The NEOM project is very big project so it will require the fresh air for the residents. Agriculture can produce fresh and healthy air. That can refresh the entire climate for the project. Dependency on artificial methods can be brought down. Even the residents will require some space so that they can breathe or experience the fresh natural environment.  Agriculture will control the greenhouse effect in such a big project.

Bio Waste Management 

The entire project will produce a lot of food waste, human waste. Management of the bio waste can be linked with agriculture and it can be converted into the manure and manure can be further used in Agriculture.  Bio Manure is good for the organic crop production. The Agriculture will be also based on the natural nutrient management and lesser dependency on chemical fertilizers.

NEOM PROJECT AND AGRICULTURE IN SAUDI ARABIA

Employment Generation

NEOM project will require employment opportunity for the residents. Agriculture will generate a lot of employment in agriculture production, farm management, harvesting, processing, packing, storages and marketing. With the help of agriculture project will produce its own food and own employment. Agriculture will require all the type of the work force from semi-skilled to skilled and highly intellectual personals.

 Agrivoltaics for Energy and Agriculture 

New concept of the Agrivoltaics will help in green energy production. Solar energy can be installed on the roof of the agriculture facilities. Thus agriculture will work as Green Energy production house. This concept is very good for the future ready infrastructure project for sustainable life.

Artificial Intelligence and Agriculture 

Now agriculture is Artificial Intelligence ready. It doesn’t require too much labour. Agriculture can be fit will the tech environment of the future ready infrastructure project. Demand based agriculture will lead to timely supply of the food produce to the residents of the NEOM project. Project will produce the agriculture production as per the generated demand. Scope of the export of the agriculture produce can be explored. In future NEOM can export its agriculture produce.

Healthy and fresh Food 

If the agriculture production will be within the project then Project will ensure the fresh and healthy food to its residents. The local food production will be chemical free and as per the standards of the city. Fresh and healthy food leads to good health and good health will lead to overall welfare of the NEOM residents.

NEOM PROJECT AND PRINCE OF SAUDI ARABIA

Entertainment and Recreation Activities

Agriculture is the part of the day to day life. It is great learning opportunity for the younger generation. It is the one of the best activity for the recreation. More the resident will engage in food production voluntarily more of they will become conscious about their health. For healthy lifestyle there is requirement of the outdoor activity, Agriculture is best option as out door activity.

Activities like fisheries, poultry, and Animal husbandry will also require in-house food. Demand of the in house food production will be great success for the success of this project. 

For the future ready project food production should be top priority. There must be all the option available for food production. It should be integrated with project and properly planned at initial stage. If the food production is linked to organic farming, carbon capture technology, lesser carbon foot print, healthy life style then it will lead to sustainable life style. NEOM is future ready and it should be self-reliant on food production.