Abstract
Due to arid climate and shortage of fresh water, GCC states do not have a comparative advantage in field crop production. They rely heavily on imports for their basic commodities and other foods. GCC import 80–90% of food for their consumption. Therefore, with demand in the GCC expected to rise significantly, food imports to the region will increase by as much as 100%. Hence, to meet the food demand will depend upon successful economic diversification. It has been seen that Gulf Cooperation Council countries’ economic diversification has affected diversification strategies and programmes, especially in the agriculture sector. The agriculture sector in GCC needs to boost agricultural output through productivity increases. GCC government should promote economic diversification that leads sustainable aquaculture, horticulture and poultry. Also, the need for agricultural investments for food security is top priority. Thus, food security and sustainable agriculture is a high priority for GCC governments on their economic diversification policy.
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Bani, S. (2018). Diversification Strategies in the Gulf Agriculture Sectors. In: Mishrif, A., Al Balushi, Y. (eds) Economic Diversification in the Gulf Region, Volume I. The Political Economy of the Middle East. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-5783-0_8
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