Al-Mukhaizim’s double win sets stage for food security mandate
whoever insisted on appointing dr. subaih al-mukhaizim as minister of electricity, water, and renewable energy, even though i believe he was aiming to become minister of finance, i want to thank that individual.
i have no personal ties with dr. almukhaizim beyond a couple of phone calls. his recent appointment as the acting minister of finance, in addition to his role at the ministry of electricity, water, and renewable energy, is a positive development. he has managed both ministries well, arguably better than most of his predecessors. i hope he will now focus fully on the ministry of finance, the most important and complex ministry.
on another note, dr. almukhaizim highlighted that the government sees the agricultural sector as a fundamental pillar for strengthening kuwait’s food security.
he indicated that support to farmers comes in many forms such as land grants, symbolic prices, and subsidized electricity.
the minister revealed that the state provides around kd 40 million annually for fodder and plants.
dr. al-mukhaizim stressed the need to regulate agricultural subsidies, clarifying that allocated land is intended for productive farmers, not for profi t-making or subleasing.
the minister reiterated that the government considers agriculture vital to enhancing food security in kuwait.
i, along with many others, have serious doubts about the quality of irrigation water used for crops, especially vegetables and fruits, that we import from almost all countries in the region, except the gulf states. there is no need to name these countries specifically. some of this water is of very poor quality and heavily polluted, often containing sewage and human waste.
there is absolutely no guarantee that this situation will improve in the future. as a result, these products pose a serious health risk, costing the state millions in treating diseases caused by their consumption.
for example, the fight against smoking in developed countries is often driven not just by concern for public health but also by the billions their healthcare systems spend treating smoking-related illnesses.
therefore, we urgently need to develop a successful agricultural project capable of meeting all or most of our agricultural needs in a healthy and sustainable way, especially since kuwait is one of the few countries with abundant arable water.
i propose entrusting international agricultural companies to bring this easily achievable vision to life, for providing citizens and residents with high-quality produce at very reasonable prices. local production will also lead to a significant reduction in healthcare costs.
achieving this self-sufficiency is neither impossible nor difficult. for example, emirates airlines recently supplied all their passengers’ vegetable needs from its own high-tech vertical farms. we are equally capable and determined to realize such a project.
to succeed, this initiative must be fully independent and use the best global technologies, unlike the current slow-moving private farms and sprawling government agencies.
