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Agritech in Action: How Saudi Arabia and Egypt Are Redefining Farming in the Desert
Tanzer Bilgen, Co-Founder & CEO of Doktar, sat down with Business Development Manager Charlie Deacon ahead of his appearance as a speaker at the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit in Dubai, to explore how Saudi Arabia and Egypt are redefining farming in the desert.
Transforming Agriculture in the Middle East: Opportunities in Saudi Arabia and Egypt
Doktar has been active in the Middle East for over two years, focusing on Saudi Arabia and Egypt — two markets investing heavily in agricultural infrastructure, but in very different ways.
In Egypt, large-scale land expansion projects such as the New Delta are adding over a million hectares of new arable land. These developments attract major investors who require professional farm management and digital tools to ensure efficiency across mega farms.
Saudi Arabia’s focus, meanwhile, lies in optimizing existing resources. With limited arable land but strong revenue from date exports, the country is turning to technology to manage groundwater more efficiently. Projects like new coffee plantations in Jazan highlight the growing need for soil moisture sensing, data interpretation, and automated irrigation systems — all critical to sustainable water use and productivity in desert conditions.
Collaboration Driving Agritech Adoption
Governmental and institutional collaboration is central to Doktar’s success in the region. In Saudi Arabia, the government’s pro-business approach allows rapid implementation of new technologies. Ministries such as MEWA, along with organizations like the National Date and Palm Center and the Saudi Green Initiative, play an active role in facilitating partnerships and funding innovation.
Universities are also key collaborators, helping adapt technologies to local climates and supporting desert-focused R&D.
In Egypt, the focus is on boosting GDP through agricultural expansion. Though collaboration with government is more complex, semi-public institutions like eFinance — Egypt’s national digital payments platform — are vital partners. Doktar works closely with eFinance, maintaining regular coordination and local field teams to implement digital agriculture projects effectively.
Innovation and the Future of Sustainable Farming
Across both markets, Doktar’s primary focus is irrigation management — combining digital monitoring with biological soil improvements. Soil moisture probes, automation partnerships, and biological interventions such as biochar and compost help boost water retention in sandy soils. Recently, the company has introduced bio-enhanced fertilizers designed to strengthen plants against heat stress and improve root development.
Looking ahead, Egypt’s goal of expanding arable land could allow it to achieve self-sufficiency in most food crops while increasing export revenues. In Saudi Arabia, domestic production will remain limited by geography, but the country is likely to leverage international investments and remote sensing technologies to oversee agricultural projects abroad. Research institutions like KAUST will continue to play a crucial role in supporting these innovations and advancing sustainable, data-driven farming practices across the region.
Meet the Doktar team at World Agri-Tech
Join leading innovators, investors, and policymakers at the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit in Dubai, December 8-9, to explore how the Middle East and Africa are pioneering the next generation of climate-resilient agri-tech solutions.
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