Intensive agricultural efforts in Al-Ahsa: Monitoring neglected farms and seizing organic products
In a significant step to enhance agricultural sustainability and ensure food safety, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture's office in Al-Ahsa Governorate revealed its outstanding achievements for 2023. These included identifying 139 neglected farms and conducting intensive inspection campaigns at organic product outlets. These efforts are part of a comprehensive strategy to support farmers, protect consumers, and strengthen Al-Ahsa's position as one of the Kingdom's most important food baskets.
General context: Al-Ahsa as a historical agricultural center
The Al-Ahsa Oasis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the world’s largest palm oasis and boasts a rich agricultural history spanning thousands of years. This heritage makes it a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s plans for food security and sustainable agricultural development. Current efforts align with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which prioritizes developing the agricultural sector, improving water resource efficiency, promoting organic farming, and protecting the environment through ambitious initiatives such as “Green Saudi Arabia.”.
Integrated guidance and monitoring efforts
Dr. Atiyah Al-Thaqafi, Director General of the Ministry's office in Al-Ahsa, praised the pivotal role played by the Integrated Farm and Organic Agriculture Extension Center. He explained that specialized teams conducted 463 extension visits to farms, providing detailed technical consultations on the latest irrigation and fertilization methods, pest diagnosis, and the application of integrated pest management programs to enhance production efficiency and crop quality. In the beekeeping sector, for which the region is renowned, 165 extension visits were carried out to support beekeepers. These visits included site assessments, hive strength tests, disease diagnosis, and providing the necessary guidance to ensure the production of high-quality honey.
Ensuring product safety and consumer protection
On the regulatory front, the Ministry has been unwavering in its commitment to protecting consumers and ensuring market integrity. The center conducted 32 rigorous inspection tours of organic product outlets to verify their compliance with regulations and approved standards. This coincided with 32 additional tours to collect samples of agricultural products for pesticide residue testing, a vital measure to guarantee food safety and public health. These campaigns reflect the government's firm commitment to providing safe and reliable food for citizens and residents.
Addressing environmental challenges: Neglected farms
One of the most significant challenges facing the agricultural sector in the oases is neglected farms, which become breeding grounds for dangerous agricultural pests such as the red palm weevil, threatening neighboring farms and causing substantial economic losses. In this context, the Ministry conducted 76 field visits, resulting in the identification of 139 neglected farms. Communication is currently underway with the owners of these farms to implement the necessary regulatory measures to rectify their conditions, thereby contributing to the protection of agricultural resources and reducing visual and environmental pollution.
Supporting farmers and community initiatives
In addition to its oversight role, the Ministry's activities also focus on development. For example, 3,276 applications were processed through the "Reef" platform to support small farmers and productive families, thus enhancing economic stability in rural areas. The office also contributed to the "Saudi Green" initiative by distributing over 5,000 seedlings to increase vegetation cover. Engineer Mohammed Al-Aboud, Deputy Director of the Agriculture Department, emphasized the center's active community engagement through participation in nine major festivals, the implementation of 35 training programs, and the hosting of scientific and educational visits, all of which contribute to fostering agricultural and environmental awareness across all segments of society.
