Kuwait - Agriculture

Only 0.3% of the total land area is utilized for the cultivation of crops; permanent pasture land amounts to 7.7% of total land area. Despite the absence of rivers and streams, and the paucity of rain, the development of agriculture has been actively pursued. The government apportions arable land at nominal prices on a long-term basis among farmers to stimulate production of vegetables and other crops. It also provides farmers with long-term loans and low-cost irrigation. The state has supplied extension services and demonstration centers for new farming techniques in the attempt to increase agricultural production. Nevertheless, farming contributes less than 1% of the non-oil GDP. Agricultural output in 1999 included 134,000 tons of vegetables and melons, and 10,000 tons of fruit.