© Ibrahim Al-Madbouly
Can you provide an overview of your production systems?
The project, which was founded in Shaqra, Riyadh Province in 2019, spans an area of 260,000 m2 which is organised into four main sections. The first is a tilapia hatchery, which covers an area of 7,000 m2 and produces 10 million fry annually. The next is a tilapia grow-out which is divided between concrete tanks, which produce 350 tonnes per year, and a RAS facility, which has a capacity of 250 tonnes per year. We aim to increase production to 1,000 tonnes of tilapia, each of between 350 and 500 g, next year.
Carp are also raised on site, although production remains below 10 tonnes due to the limited demand, while the ornamental fish section produces 25 species including koi, neon goby, guppy, neon tetra, molly, goldfish and angelfish. It has an annual production of 1.2 million ornamental fish and a stocking capacity of 8 million.
Most recently, following a successful 18 month pilot project under the Ministry of Agriculture's supervision, the farm produced 2.5 tonnes of rainbow trout, with each fish reaching around 3 kilograms. All infrastructures, including a hatchery are now in place to begin full-scale trout production using RAS technology.
What is the original goal of the project and what has been achieved so far?
Our vision was to create the leading fish farming project in Saudi Arabia. Starting with one of the country’s first tilapia hatcheries, we expanded it and established the breeding farms as demand grew. Although we have made significant progress, our journey is far from over. We are actively working to further develop and enhance the facilities, aiming for full realisation of our original goal.
What were the biggest challenges you faced when starting the farm?
The main challenge we faced was being among the first to pioneer fish farming in Saudi Arabia’s inland waters, which we source from wells. The concept of producing fish in a desert environment was completely new. However, when it came to construction and infrastructure, the government provided substantial support, ensuring that these aspects did not pose significant obstacles.
Do provide services to other producers?
We offer consultations to other fish farming operations in Saudi Arabia, covering all aspects from design and construction to regular follow-ups throughout the production stages. And we also have a store in Riyadh city that sells all the equipment needed for fish farms, including aeration devices, measurement and quality control instruments.
© Ibrahim Al-Madbouly
What is your biggest worry at work?
Electricity is typically a significant concern, but the government provide us with a stable source yet it remains very stable and the farm is supported by several backup generators.
Although the desert environment and natural factors like windstorms can be challenging, they do not present a serious threat. We carefully planned our initial setup to withstand these conditions, minimising any potential concerns.
Where do you sell your produce?
Currently, the Kingdom’s demand for our farmed products is high; as a result, we have prioritised meeting local needs over considering exports. However, we are prepared to start exporting ornamental fish when the time is suitable.
What is the biggest achievement of the project so far?
Our most remarkable achievement is successfully producing trout in the desert environment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
What are your plans for the farm's development?
Our development plan aims to transition the entire project to RAS. Construction is already underway, and we have made significant progress, with 30 percent of the project completed.
Additionally, we are working to increase tilapia production to 1,000 tonnes within a year. A key focus is transforming the results of our trout farming experiment in the desert into sustainable production, as we have completed all necessary construction and are prepared to begin operations as soon as possible.
What advice would you give to people interested in entering the aquaculture sector?
Prioritise closed systems like RAS over open systems, due to their minimal challenges and outstanding production efficiency.
