In 2008, Saudi Arabia announced that it will stop producing wheat by 2016 and will from that point on import wheat to feed its 29 million people. This decision has been made because
A) its major deep aquifer has been depleted by drawing water for irrigation
B) multiple years of severe droughts have depleted the water table
C) this very rich, oil-financed economy can easily import food rather than grow its own
D) desalinization of sea water 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's decision to stop producing wheat and instead rely on imports is due to the depletion of their major deep aquifer by drawing water for irrigation. The country's wheat fields were heavily dependent on underground water sources, which have been drained at an unsustainable rate, leading to water shortages and a decline in crop yields. As a result, the government made the decision to import wheat to ensure food security for its population.

In 2008, Saudi Arabia Announced That It Will Stop Producing