A consortium of Saudi scholars has recently introduced a novel technology for producing microalgae. This advancement is poised to transform the kingdom’s feed sector, which currently depends on importing roughly 13 million tonnes of feed annually.
Researchers from the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have engineered unique strains of Spirulina and Chlorella algae. These variants are specifically designed to thrive in the brackish waters of the Arabian Peninsula, making them suitable for mass production.
The primary benefit of these microalgae is their ability to grow without freshwater, a scarce commodity in the Middle East. The integration of microalgae production into the national economy aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, the kingdom’s ambitious plan to enhance food security and lessen reliance on imported feedstock.
‘This initiative is set to solidify algae’s role in fulfilling the nation’s food security objectives and will contribute to a variety of other projects.’
— Dr. Ian Campbell, Vice President at KAUST
Although a detailed schedule for launching industrial-scale microalgae production has not been disclosed, the technology signifies a major leap towards establishing Saudi Arabia as a leader in algae biotechnology.
Given that Saudi Arabia sources the majority of its animal feed components—proteins, fats, and carbohydrates—from abroad, such as Brazil and the USA, the development of a domestic source is crucial. The initial aim is to escalate microalgae production to an annual yield of 100 tonnes, approximating 20% of Europe’s total production.
Dr. Claudio Grunwald, Head of the Algae Program at KAUST, remarked that microalgae production is not only a viable and sustainable option for Saudi Arabia in terms of feedstock but also for carbon capture and the remediation of water bodies.
Prior initiatives to reduce Saudi Arabia’s feed import dependency include ‘The Cattleyst,’ a hydroponic fodder farming system introduced by World of Farming. Although the start-up secured a contract to build a facility capable of producing 3,000 tonnes of feed annually in 2022, subsequent progress reports have been lacking.