Saudi Agricultural Investments in Arizona

Saudi Arabia has been purchasing agricultural land in Arizona, particularly in La Paz County, to address its water scarcity issues. The company Fonda Monte, linked to Saudi investments, manages approximately 10,000 acres dedicated to growing alfalfa, a water-intensive crop. This shift towards land acquisition abroad was prompted by the depletion of Saudi aquifers, leading to a strategic pivot in government subsidies to facilitate foreign land purchases. The ownership of this land has raised concerns among local residents about water access and resource distribution, as many local wells are running dry due to the extensive pumping by Fonda Monte.