Information and Communication Technology Infrastructure, Renewable Energy, and Agricultural Water Productivity in Saudi Arabia: Macro-Level Associations and Interaction Effects

Water scarcity remains a major constraint to agricultural sustainability in Saudi Arabia, creating an urgent need to improve agricultural water productivity. This study examines long-run and short-run associations among national information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure, national renewable-energy share, climatic conditions, and agricultural water productivity during 1995–2024. ICT infrastructure is represented by internet users, mobile cellular subscriptions, and fixed broadband subscriptions, while renewable energy consumption is examined both as an associated covariate and as a moderator of the ICT–water productivity relationship. Temperature and precipitation are incorporated as control variables. The analysis employs the ARDL approach to estimate long-run equilibrium relationships and short-run adjustment dynamics. The results show positive associations of the three ICT indicators, renewable energy consumption, and rainfall with agricultural water productivity, whereas temperature is negatively associated. The interaction analysis indicates that renewable energy is positively associated with the relationship between ICT infrastructure and agricultural water productivity. These results suggest that digital technologies and renewable energy are jointly associated with higher irrigation performance, improved water-use efficiency, and more sustainable agricultural development. The findings offer policy-relevant evidence for promoting digital infrastructure and renewable energy in Saudi Arabia and other water-scarce economies.