Qunfudhah Mango Festival: Celebrating the yellow gold and supporting the economy
Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Governor of Makkah Region, the Mango Festival in Al-Qunfudhah will commence on Wednesday, April 22nd (5th of Dhu al-Qi'dah). This prominent agricultural event will take place over three days in the public park of the governorate, reflecting the growing agricultural presence in the region and its vital role in supporting the local economy and stimulating commercial activity.
The roots of yellow gold cultivation and its historical development
The story of mango cultivation in Al-Qunfudhah Governorate dates back more than fifty years, beginning with limited agricultural experiments that quickly proved remarkably successful thanks to the fertile soil and suitable tropical climate. Over the decades, this type of agriculture has witnessed continuous development thanks to generous government support, making mangoes one of the most economically viable seasonal crops. This development has contributed to transforming mango cultivation into a prominent agricultural and investment activity in the governorate. Since 1431 AH (2010/2011 CE), the relevant authorities have been keen to organize this annual event, with 14 previous festivals having all contributed to supporting farmers, marketing their products, and introducing visitors to this fruit, which has become an icon of the region's agricultural identity.
The Ministry of Environment's efforts in ensuring the success of the Mango Festival in Al-Qunfudhah
Engineer Waleed bin Ibrahim Al-Daghis, Director General of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture branch in the Makkah region, explained that the festival is an extension of an ongoing development plan for tropical fruit cultivation and aims to enhance Al-Qunfudhah's position as one of the Kingdom's leading production areas. In a related context, Engineer Ahmed bin Abdullah Al-Qarni, Director of the Ministry's office in the governorate, pointed to figures reflecting the scale of the achievement: the number of mango farms has exceeded four thousand, with an annual production exceeding 52,000 tons and a harvest season that extends for more than three months. He noted that a large number of farmers own more than half a million trees, indicating rapid agricultural expansion, making Al-Qunfudhah one of the top-producing governorates, alongside the leading Jazan region.
Economic dimensions and regional impact of the event
The importance of this event extends beyond mere celebration, encompassing profound economic and strategic dimensions. Locally, the festival plays a vital role in boosting the income of farmers and productive families, providing seasonal employment opportunities for the province's youth, and stimulating domestic tourism. Regionally and nationally, the increased agricultural production directly contributes to achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 related to enhancing food security and reducing reliance on imports. Furthermore, the quality of Saudi Arabian produce is beginning to attract international attention, opening up promising future prospects for exporting these tropical crops to neighboring and global markets, and highlighting the Kingdom's ability to diversify its agricultural portfolio.
Disease control and visitor-attracting events
To ensure the sustainability of this success, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture affirms its continued provision of technical and technological support to farmers. This includes organizing workshops and extension programs, and bringing in experts from universities and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to provide guidance on combating crop diseases at the beginning of each season, which positively impacts the quality of production. In addition to the agricultural aspect, this year's festival features diverse exhibitions for farmers, dedicated areas for productive families, and food trucks. It also includes theatrical entertainment, a photo booth, and raffles for valuable prizes, including mobile phones, offering visitors a comprehensive experience that combines marketing, entertainment, and support for the local economy.
