Why did Saudi Arabia start importing grain rather than growing wheat in 2016?
A) Its major deep aquifer had been depleted by overuse.
B) Multiple years of severe droughts have depleted the water table.
C) Its very rich, oil-financed economy can easily import food rather than grow its own.
D) Desalinization of seawater around Saudi Arabia has contaminated local freshwater reserves.
E) Oil seepage from oil fields has contaminated local freshwater reserves.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Saudi Arabia started importing grain rather than growing wheat in 2016 primarily because its major deep aquifer had been depleted by overuse. The country had previously engaged in an ambitious program of wheat self-sufficiency, which was unsustainable due to the heavy water use required for irrigation in its desert climate.

Why Did Saudi Arabia Start Importing Grain Rather Than Growing