JUBAIL: There should be more investment in the hundreds of Saudi islands in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf to grow crops and rear cattle.

This is according to Hamoud Al-Harbi, chairman of the Agricultural Society in Madinah, who said there is an abundance of water available for this purpose. He said the Ministry of Water has an important role to play in conducting research to find additional sources of water.

Al-Harbi said cooperative societies could be formed to raise animals and produce fodder, which would help break the monopoly that some companies have in this sector, and result in a reduction in prices.

He urged the government to launch initiatives to attract international companies that would invest in agriculture on these islands.

There are more than 1,300 islands in the Kingdom, with 1,150 of them in the Red Sea and 150 in the Arabian Gulf. The largest island in the Red Sea area is Farasan Island, which is about 380 square km, followed by Sajid Islands at 150 square km and Tiran Island at 61 square km. The "Farasan island marine sanctuary" is a protected area and is home to the Arabian gazelle.

The largest island in the Arabian Gulf is Abu Ali Island over 59 square km followed by Batinah Island over 33 square km and Tarout Island over 20 square km.