KU lecture highlights strategic food security challenges in GCC

By Chrsitine Susan Shine

KUWAIT: The College of Life Sciences at Kuwait University (KU) hosted a pivotal lecture on Monday addressing strategic priorities for food security across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The event featured keynote speaker Gary Burniske, Managing Director of the Center for Global Food Security at Purdue University, USA and a leading expert in sustainable agriculture, resource management and international development.

Burniske underscored the vital role of research and education in enhancing agricultural productivity. “Without strong research and education, agricultural productivity cannot improve,” he stated, calling on academic institutions to lead policy development based on scientific evidence and to empower local producers through knowledge and innovation. Citing the United Nations Environment Program’s 2024 Food Waste Index Report, Burniske expressed concern over the region’s food wastage, noting that the GCC discarded approximately 1.3 million tons of food in 2022—translating into financial losses estimated between $4 to $7 billion. He further noted a significant data gap in countries such as Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain.

Gary Burniske

In his address, Burniske stressed the urgency of strengthening local food production to achieve food sovereignty. He advocated for controlled-environment agriculture systems to overcome Kuwait’s natural limitations, including scarce water resources, poor soil quality, and environmental degradation. “Food security is a difficult issue here,” he remarked, pointing out that the GCC imports nearly 85 percent of its food. “This leaves the region vulnerable to supply chain disruptions, as witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic when key exporting countries imposed export restrictions on essential staples like rice.”

Referencing a report by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Burniske noted that Kuwait ranked second in the GCC in food import dependency, with imports reaching $5.3 billion in 2020. He encouraged investment in culturally appropriate crops and more efficient livestock practices. “Poultry presents a promising option—it offers a favorable feed-to-weight ratio, rapid growth, and is a more water-efficient and healthier alternative to beef,” he said.

Concluding his presentation, Burniske appealed to Kuwait University to expand its academic focus on agriculture. “I hope Kuwait University will consider establishing a College of Agriculture—or at least an Agronomy Department—to support these critical pillars of food security,” he urged. The event underscored the growing need for regional collaboration, data-driven strategies, and institutional support to address the multifaceted challenges of food security in the Gulf.