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Potential for Food Self-Sufficiency Improvements through Indoor and Vertical Farming in the Gulf Cooperation Council: Challenges and Opportunities from the Case of Kuwait

Author

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  • Meshal J. Abdullah

    (Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8572, Japan)

  • Zhengyang Zhang

    (Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8572, Japan)

  • Kazuyo Matsubae

    (Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8572, Japan)

Abstract

The countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are considered food secure due to their ability to import sufficient food to meet their populations’ demand, despite considerable environmental limitations to conventional agriculture. However, over-reliance on externally produced food leaves these countries vulnerable to food shortages during crises that disrupt international production and shipping. Advanced Controlled Environment Agriculture technology has the potential to improve food self-sufficiency by multiplying vegetable crop yields while optimizing efficiency of agricultural inputs and minimizing land requirements. This paper demonstrates how approximately 15 km 2 of indoor farms or less than 0.1 km 2 of vertical farms could reduce or eliminate the need to import six important vegetable crops in the State of Kuwait. If properly contextualized and supported by clear legislation and well-managed regulatory bodies, indoor agriculture initiatives may provide a pathway for GCC countries to reduce their dependence on imported foods and increase resilience to food supply disruption during disasters or conflict. This case study contextualizes the need for improved food self-sufficiency in light of vulnerabilities from regional and global threats, illuminates unique challenges faced by GCC countries considering adoption of the proposed technologies, and summarizes opportunities inherent in the current legal and policy framework.

Suggested Citation

  • Meshal J. Abdullah & Zhengyang Zhang & Kazuyo Matsubae, 2021. "Potential for Food Self-Sufficiency Improvements through Indoor and Vertical Farming in the Gulf Cooperation Council: Challenges and Opportunities from the Case of Kuwait," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-14, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:22:p:12553-:d:678531
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Siddiqi, Afreen & Anadon, Laura Diaz, 2011. "The water-energy nexus in Middle East and North Africa," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(8), pages 4529-4540, August.
    2. Food and Agriculture Organization, 2013. "The State of Food and Agriculture, 2013," Working Papers id:5511, eSocialSciences.
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    Cited by:

    1. Renata Pozelli Sabio & Pascale Lehoux, 2022. "How Does Context Contribute to and Constrain the Emergence of Responsible Innovation in Food Systems? Results from a Multiple Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-19, June.
    2. Dsouza, Ajwal & Newman, Lenore & Graham, Thomas & Fraser, Evan D.G., 2023. "Exploring the landscape of controlled environment agriculture research: A systematic scoping review of trends and topics," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 209(C).

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