Vegetable Production in Calcareous Soils of Kuwait: Status Report

Abstract

ABSTRACT Agricultural development in Kuwait is constrained by harsh climatic conditions, soil nutrient deficiency, and scarce water resources for irrigation. Soil content of plant nutrients is low, with high content of calcareous materials, particularly calcium carbonate. The soils are moderate to shallow in depth, are sandy, derived from sedimentary rocks, and transported by sandstorm. Two production methods were developed for vegetable crop cultivation in Kuwait; indoor and outdoor systems. The productivity of the indoor system is very low (between 1 to 3 T/ha) and the production cost is high due to gaps in technology transfer, inefficient management, and widespread damage by insects and diseases. All vegetable crops grown in outdoor field cultivation are exposed to harsh climatic conditions and consequently their productivity is even lower (between 0.10 to 0.55 T/ha) and the quality is inferior. The research activities and scientific findings in Kuwait have not been able to generate or adapt any technology locally for appropriate crop species/varieties, efficient and significant use of soil and water research, crop nutrition, pest management and marketing of produce.