Agriculture & Water in Kuwait
Agriculture in Kuwait is considered a minor contributor to the national economy due to severe environmental constraints. Kuwait's gross domestic product (GDP) relies overwhelmingly on the oil and gas sector, with agriculture contributing less than 0.5 percent to the GDP. The harsh desert climate, extremely limited rainfall, and poor soil quality significantly restrict traditional farming practices.
Despite these challenges, the government is committed to enhancing food security through modern techniques. The agricultural sector focuses primarily on intensive farming in protected environments, producing essential commodities such as vegetables, poultry, and dairy. The total cultivated area is relatively small, concentrated mainly in zones like Wafra and Abdaly, where advanced irrigation systems, often utilizing treated sewage effluent (TSE) water, are employed.
Kuwait has been steadily increasing its self-sufficiency in certain food items, particularly in the production of eggs, fresh milk, and some seasonal vegetables. However, the vast majority of food and agricultural products—estimated at over 90 percent—must be imported to meet domestic consumption. This high import dependency makes the sector highly vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions.
The primary challenge facing this sector is water scarcity. Kuwait has virtually no permanent natural water sources. The country relies almost entirely on two main sources: seawater desalination for potable water and treated sewage effluent (TSE) for irrigation and industrial purposes. The Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy (MEW) manages the world's highest per capita rate of water consumption. To sustain agriculture, the government heavily subsidizes the use of treated wastewater and encourages the exploration of brackish and groundwater (though these sources are non-renewable and high in salinity), in an ongoing effort to promote efficient water management technologies and conservation.