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Groundwater is used on almost 96 per cent of the irrigated area, treated wastewater on 5
one per cent.

In 1992, 428 000 ha were estimated to be cultivated by 1 070 large farms, with an area
of more than 200 ha each. The total area of medium farms (5–200 ha) was 730 000 ha,
comprising 7 300 farms. Small farms (< 5 ha) covered 450 000 ha, comprising 180 000 farms.

The average cost for irrigation development is about US$251/ha for microirrigation, sprinkler Abu Dhabi, UAE

irrigation and surface irrigation systems respectively. Water is free of charge.

The cropped area more than tripled between 1977 and 1992. In general, there is only one
cropping season. The major irrigated crop is wheat. In 1988, it consumed almost 40 per cent of
irrigation water, and covered almost 62 per cent of the irrigated area. Other major crops are
fodder, other cereals (particularly sorghum and barley), fruit trees and vegetables. Since 1988, self

sufficiency in wheat has been reached, and part of the production is being exported. In 1992,
wheat production was almost 4.1 million tonnes, while national demand was only about 1.2
million tonnes. Vegetables, fruits and dates and fodder are also exported.

Water resources management policies

In 1981, there began a change in agricultural cropping patterns based on the adoption of new
technologies, exercising extensive and effective agricultural extension, using improved seed
varieties with high productivity and providing advanced plant protection services in line with
modern agricultural methods.

The government’s involvement in the agricultural sector has been extensive. During the
1980s, food self-sufficiency, particularly in wheat and dairy products, became a major priority.
With the support of heavy subsidies, the added value in agriculture increased by more than
70 per cent from 1985–91. Wheat production was even sufficient to enable Saudi Arabia to
become the world’s sixth largest wheat exporter. Despite its success, this policy is a threat
to the country’s water reserves. On economic grounds, the 1991–92 harvest was estimated

to have cost the government around US$480 per tonne compared with world prices for
wheat of US$100 per tonne. At present, the national goal is diversification of agricultural
production in order to meet the growing demand for other types of crops, and to adjust the
wheat production to the level of annual national consumption.

IEA Training Manual Workshop for the National Reporting Toolkit (NRT) 81