JEDDAH, 27 December — Water will become one of the major challenges facing the Kingdom in the next 25 years, according to a top official of the Ministry of Agriculture and Water.
Saad Al-Takhais, undersecretary for water at the ministry, said finding a solution to this grave problem has been impeded by the fact that the responsibility is shared by several departments.
The creation of an independent ministry for water affairs would help resolve the issue in the most effective manner, Al-Watan newspaper quoted Al-Takhais as saying.
The new ministry is expected to take steps to conserve the country’s water resources as a centralized authority will be in a better position to deal with the challenge on a priority basis.
The water department should give the highest priority to create a database by compiling information on water and related issues, Al-Takhais said. He explained that while the Ministry of Agriculture and Water has currently plenty of information on the water resources, the Water and Sewage Department, Saline Water Conversion Cooperation and research institutions may have other useful information. All the information should be pooled so that an effective long-term water policy, which requires minute evaluation of the supply and demand situation, can be evolved.
The second priority should be on the methods to consolidate the achievements of the agricultural sector after the amendments aimed at conserving underground water for the longest period possible, according to Al-Takhais.
The official said the Ministry of Agriculture and Saudi Arabian Agricultural Bank should coordinate to develop a water conservation strategy by providing loans and subsidies to farmers. The distribution of agricultural projects should suit the geographical features of each region. It should be ensured that newly distributed virgin lands are used only for predetermined agricultural projects. Steps should also be taken to minimize the fragmentation and conversion of productive lands to non-agricultural purposes.
He said the new ministry should also upgrade the maintenance of drinking water projects with the objective of better service at lesser cost. There should also be national projects aimed at bringing water to all citizens in every town and village in the country.
The ministry should intensify hydrological studies to gauge the volume of underground water while the ongoing campaign for judicious use of water should continue, the official added.
