That’s the question running through The Fresh FoodCast, a podcast series produced as a fruit of a Netherlands public private partnership in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA). Across four episodes, the series builds a clear narrative, not by giving one answer, but by gradually unpacking how agriculture in the region is evolving.
Hosted by Giovanni Angiolini of Dutch Greenhouse Delta, the series brings together perspectives from across the ecosystem, from research and industry to policy and practice, from both the Gulf region and the Netherlands
It starts with a reality that shapes everything else. Farming in the Gulf region is defined by extreme heat, limited water availability, and challenging growing conditions. The conversation reflects how the focus has shifted from acknowledging these constraints to actively working around them.
That shift becomes visible early on. CEA is introduced not as a future concept, but as something already being implemented. The focus moves quickly from if local production is possible to how it can be done reliably, sustainably and at scale.
From precision to control
"You can measure exactly how much irrigation water you dose… and base your decisions on that"
This level of precision allows growers to move away from assumptions and toward real-time decision-making, a key step in making production more efficient and predictable.
As the discussion develops, agriculture is no longer described as a collection of tools, but as a system, one where climate, water, and nutrients are managed together.
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From managing water to designing systems
By the third episode, the conversation becomes fully practical.
Water, one of the most critical resources in the region, is no longer treated only as a constraint, but as something that can be controlled within a system.
“You can re-circulate the irrigation water which is not used… and disinfect it, so it becomes clean to reuse.”
"Water is the lifeblood of everything we need here… but at the same time, it is the scarcest resource in the region"
Technologies from Ridder enable growers to monitor and adjust irrigation in real time. Solutions from Genap focus on protecting water from evaporation and contamination. Innovations from Desolenator explore more sustainable water production.
“You save on water, you save on fertilizers ..but more importantly, you improve your crop results.”
From systems to people
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"You don’t need to be born into agriculture, but you do need access to knowledge"
After establishing how systems work, the fourth episode shifts the focus to the people behind them.
The conversation brings together experts from KAUST, United Arab Emirates University, Wageningen University & Research and Aeres, alongside Nienke Gelderloos, Agriculture Advisor for the UAE within the Netherlands Agricultural Network.
Experts highlight the need to connect research, training, and practical application.
Looking across all four episodes, a clear progression emerges, from challenges, to solutions, to systems, and finally to people.
Initiatives such as Dutch Greenhouse Delta illustrate how collaboration supports integrated approaches, because at the end “People don’t want a machine, they want a solution.”
Across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the wider Gulf, the series shows that progress is driven by collaboration.
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The future of agriculture in the Gulf depends on how systems, resources, and people come together. The transition from challenge to solution is already underway.
The conversations also reflect the broader engagement of the Netherlands Agricultural Network in the region, including contributions and perspectives shared by Simone Landhuis, Agricultural Counsellor for the GCC at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Riyadh, during the series.
What’s next
The Fresh FoodCast by the Netherlands is available now on all major podcast platforms, including Buzzsprout, Apple Music and Spotify. Tune in to discover how Dutch innovation and partnership are driving the Gulf region toward a more secure and sustainable food future.
The Fresh FoodCast is brought to you by Dutch Greenhouse Delta, the Embassy and Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the United Arab Emirates and the Netherlands Agricultural Network in GCC.