Latest news with #SaudiRural
Saudi Gazette
17-04-2025
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
Taif region produces 960 million roses annually
Saudi Gazette report TAIF — Taif roses are at the top of the list of aromatic plants and one of the agricultural and cultural treasures that Saudi Arabia is proud of. It's considered a symbol of agricultural identity and their fragrant scent spreads throughout Saudi Arabia. Their harvest season begins at the beginning of March and continues for about 45 days, which attracts many rose lovers and perfume makers from inside and outside Saudi Arabia. The Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture affirmed its interest in supporting Taif rose cultivation and its processing industry to enhance agricultural sustainability and develop the national economy. This support is provided by the Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development Program (Rural Saudi Arabia) and funding from the Agricultural Development Fund. More than 400 farms receive support from the program, contributing to the provision of numerous job and marketing opportunities. The "Saudi Rural" program has provided support to numerous development projects in rose processing industry to open up investment prospects in them. Perfume extraction factories, smart field schools based on artificial intelligence, in and tissue culture laboratories to improve the quality of rose production are some of them. Taif is a major home for rose cultivation, with more than 910 rose farms spread across the heights of Al Hada and Al Shafa Mountains, Wadi Mahram, Al Talhat, Wadi Al Aamq, Wadi Al Bani, Bilad Tuwairiq, and Al Mukhadha. The cultivated area exceeds 193 hectares, which produce more than 960 million roses or 2,437 tons annually. The Ministry of Environment seeks to preserve natural resources and support the Taif rose processing industry, which extracts and manufactures a variety of derivatives, such as essential oils, rose water, and cosmetics and body care products. These products are widely popular in the market, combining cultural heritage with promising investment opportunities.
Saudi Gazette
13-03-2025
- Science
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia meets goals in localizing chia cultivation
Saudi Gazette report MAKKAH — The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture announced the successful localization of chia cultivation in a number of relatively advantageous areas of Saudi Arabia, especially in Makkah region. This underscores the ministry's efforts to develop the agricultural sector by localizing new crops that are compatible with local climatic conditions, contributing to enhancing food security and preserving environmental sustainability in Saudi Arabia. Chia seeds belong to the mint family and are native to Central America. They are evergreen plants with serrated edges and small, purple flowers with white in the center. It also has a high pollination rate and can reach a height of one meter. The yield per hectare is 800-1200 kg of chia seeds. They are unconventional plants, as they are fast-growing and remain in the soil for about 130 days, and they consume little water. The ministry also encouraged the localization of chia plant cultivation in areas with comparative advantages, such as the "Saudi Rural" program, which contributes to empowering and supporting farmers. It noted that the plant's leaves are used in processing industries, such as food and beverages, cosmetics, and natural oils. Chia plant adapts to the environmental conditions in Saudi Arabia, as it grows in areas with warm weather at temperatures ranging between 15-30 degrees Celsius. The success of its cultivation in the Kingdom comes within its plans to diversify agricultural crops and achieve their sustainability, as field experiments have proven the success of its localization in Taif Governorate in the Makkah region on an area ranging in length from 100 meters, and its width from 70 meters. The chia plant is fertilized with fully decomposed organic fertilizer at a rate of 30)cubic meters per hectare, with regular integrated chemical fertilization. It is distinguished by its ability to withstand short periods of drought. The success of its cultivation in the Kingdom enhances the sustainability and efficiency of agricultural crops, which contributes to supporting self-sufficiency, according to the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
