Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of the Netherlands have solidified their bilateral relationship by signing 27 agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs). These deals are valued at over SAR 428 million. The agreements focus on developing and localizing advanced technologies across agriculture, water management, and environmental sectors.
Saudi Netherlands Agricultural Partnership Focuses on High-Tech Innovation
Held in the Netherlands from June 10–12, 2025, the signing ceremony was sponsored by Deputy Minister Eng. Mansour Al-Mishaiti and attended by senior officials and private sector stakeholders. The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture spearheaded the initiative as part of its efforts to support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goal to modernize the agricultural sector through international collaboration and innovation.
Key agreements include a MoU between the National Livestock and Aquaculture Development Program and Dutch company Veg Guard, targeting R&D in animal disease control. Other collaborations involve the National Center for Sustainable Agriculture Research and Development, partnering with firms such as the Dutch Greenhouse Alliance and Wageningen University, focusing on greenhouse and biotech innovation.
Private Sector Joins Saudi Dutch Agri-Tech Drive
Saudi private companies also played a major role. Notably, Al-Yaseen Agricultural Company and the Koppert Experiments Center are investing €1 million in crop protection technology. Another SAR 76 million joint venture with HZPC and Jal Al-Sahra will enhance domestic potato production. It will also establish a new processing facility.
Makkah Region Development Authority signed MoUs with Van der Hoeven and Horizon 11 to localize green biotech in horticulture. Meanwhile, Dafa Agricultural Company signed six separate deals totaling over SAR 292 million across various agri-tech fields.
Strategic Vision
The Saudi Netherlands agricultural partnership is expected to serve as a blueprint. It will guide future international collaborations in sustainable farming and environmental innovation.
The Saudi Standard’s View: Diplomacy with Depth
This partnership between Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands isn’t just trade—it’s technology diplomacy. By embedding advanced agricultural systems into its domestic strategy, the Kingdom is redefining food security as a high-tech frontier.
What makes this moment strategic is its balance: local innovation with global knowledge, private investment with public oversight, and rural outcomes backed by world-class science. From greenhouses to gene editing, the Saudi agri-sector is positioning itself as a laboratory for the future of farming.
These deals also reflect a geopolitical shift—where food, water, and environmental tech become tools of international influence. Vision 2030 isn’t just about growth; it’s about leadership in a resource-conscious world.
