RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA — The Saudi Council of Ministers has approved draft organizational arrangements to change the Saudi Grains Organization (SAGO) into the General Food Security Authority (GFSA).

The change will help enhance the nation’s efforts on food security, uniting the efforts of government agencies and the private sector, said Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz Al-Faris, governor of the GFSA.

The flour milling sector was one of the first targeted by the Saudi government for privatization. In July 2021, the second and fourth mill companies of the former SAGO were sold, the final stage in privatization.

Al-Faris said the GFSA will work on drafting a comprehensive plan for strategic storage, developing regulations and legislation related to it, developing an early warning system for food, identifying targets for food loss and waste, planning the implementation of awareness programs to reduce waste and establishing partnerships with countries and international organizations.