How Saudi women are turning sand into soil
https://arab.news/4fq87
In the vast deserts of the Kingdom, something remarkable is happening. Barren sand is being transformed into fertile soil, and at the heart of this transformation are Saudi Arabia women.
As a scientist working in sustainability, I expected to be part of an ambitious vision for environmental restoration. What I did not expect was that women would be leading this effort, applying cutting-edge science to revive the land.
Saudi Arabia is at a defining moment in its sustainability journey. With Vision 2030’s Green Saudi Initiative, the Kingdom is making bold investments in reforestation, food security, and climate-resilient agriculture.
But what often goes unrecognized is that Saudi women are leading it.
Saudi women now make up 40 percent of science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, graduates, outpacing many Western countries. But they are not just entering labs. They are leading groundbreaking projects in land restoration, from researching water-saving solutions to applying innovative soil technology.
Their presence is growing in some of the Kingdom’s most critical sectors, including climate science, sustainable agriculture, and land restoration. In my own work, I see this firsthand.
Whether in research labs, universities, or the field, Saudi women are leading projects that turn deserts into fertile land, improve water conservation, and develop solutions for a greener future.
One of Saudi Arabia’s biggest environmental challenges is desertification — the loss of arable land due to climate conditions and soil degradation. It requires scientific breakthroughs, innovation, and long-term commitment.
Across the country, Saudi women are rising to meet it.
Whether in research labs, universities, or the field, Saudi women are leading projects that turn deserts into fertile land, improve water conservation, and develop solutions for a greener future.
Orn Supaphol
At Saudi Desert Control, we use Liquid Natural Clay to turn desert sand into fertile soil by increasing its ability to retain water and nutrients. Women scientists and engineers are leading the application of this technology, ensuring that Saudi Arabia can produce food sustainably in one of the world’s most arid climates.
Across the Kingdom, female researchers and agricultural engineers are reducing water consumption, implementing regenerative farming techniques, and introducing climate-resilient crops.
Science thrives on diverse perspectives. In sustainability and agriculture — fields that directly impact communities — the inclusion of women leads to better decision-making, smarter solutions, and long-term resilience.
Many of the most forward-thinking, practical solutions I have encountered in Saudi Arabia come from female scientists and engineers. Their leadership is making Saudi Arabia’s sustainability push more effective, inclusive, and future-proof.
Saudi Arabia’s transformation is often spoken of as something coming in the future. But working alongside incredible female colleagues, I can confidently say the future is already here.
Saudi women are not just part of this change — they are turning sand into soil and shaping a more sustainable world.
I for one celebrate the women leading STEM fields, restoring land, conserving resources, and ensuring that Saudi Arabia’s next chapter is one of sustainability.
To the young women of Saudi Arabia pursuing science and sustainability — your work will define the future. And the future is now.
• Orn Supaphol is chief technical officer at Saudi Desert Control.
