Your local guarantee: A national campaign to support Saudi GAP certification and food safety
The Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture announced the launch of its new strategic awareness campaign, "Your Local Guarantee," which primarily aims to promote the Saudi Good Agricultural Practices (Saudi GAP) program. This initiative is a key component of the Ministry's efforts to enhance the sustainability of the agricultural sector and raise safety and quality standards for locally produced food, directly aligning with the goals of Vision 2030 to achieve food security and self-sufficiency.
Promoting the concepts of sustainable agriculture
The “Your Local Guarantee” campaign is a new link in a chain of integrated national initiatives led by the Ministry to support local products. The campaign aims to establish sustainable agriculture not only as a technical practice but also as a general culture that enhances consumer confidence in local produce and achieves tangible added value for the agricultural economy. The campaign highlights the importance of adopting good agricultural practices at all stages of the supply chain, from sowing to harvesting and distribution, to ensure that crops are free from pollutants and chemical residues and to conserve vital natural resources, especially water, from waste.
What is the "Saudi Gap" program?
The Saudi GAP program is based on a rigorous set of national technical standards developed to align with Global GAP standards. The program serves as a genuine guarantee and reliable certification of food safety and environmental protection. Historically, the Kingdom began implementing these standards to bridge the gap between traditional and modern production methods, ensuring that Saudi agricultural products are competitive not only in local markets but also internationally, thus opening up vast opportunities for exporting national products such as dates, vegetables, and fruits.
Economic impact and achieving food security
The importance of this campaign extends beyond health and environmental concerns, encompassing a wide-ranging economic impact. By implementing Saudi GAP standards, farm management is streamlined and operational efficiency is enhanced, reducing long-term costs and increasing productivity. The program also effectively promotes advanced pest control systems and minimizes pesticide use, while strictly adhering to worker health and rights protections. This positively impacts the agricultural work environment and makes the sector more attractive to investment.
Global standards with a national vision
The standards promoted by the "Your Local Guarantee" campaign aim to open up broad marketing opportunities for local products and enhance their competitiveness, making them the first choice for consumers seeking quality and safety. This campaign complements previous awareness efforts by the Ministry, such as the "Our Winter is Healthy" and "Environmental Lens" campaigns, underscoring the commitment of relevant authorities to empowering farmers by developing their technical skills and protecting natural resources for future generations, ultimately benefiting the national economy and public health.
