Agreement between Reef Academy and Sakhaa to support agricultural initiatives
In a move aimed at strengthening integration between government and development sectors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Engineer Mansour bin Hilal Al-Mashiti, witnessed the signing of a strategic memorandum of understanding between the Saudi Reef Academy and the Sakhaa Program . The signing ceremony took place in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Human Resources and Social Development for Labor, Dr. Abdullah bin Nasser Abuthnain, on the sidelines of the Labor Market Conference, a vital platform for exchanging expertise and developing national talent.
The memorandum was signed by Dr. Maha bint Mohammed Al-Dahi, CEO of the Riffa Academy, and Eng. Abdulaziz Mohammed Al-Hussain, Secretary General of the Sakhaa Program. This agreement aims to establish a joint framework for implementing a range of high-quality programs and initiatives focused on empowering students and youth in the agricultural sector, and maximizing the utilization of resources available to both parties.
Agreement objectives and areas of cooperation
The memorandum focuses on unifying efforts to enable impactful agricultural initiatives and supporting the preparation of economic feasibility studies for emerging projects. The agreement also aims to leverage the capabilities of entities and organizations across the Kingdom to support these initiatives, in addition to empowering stakeholders and connecting them with measurable investment and development opportunities, and building a portfolio of agricultural initiatives that meet high national priorities.
The context of rural development and Vision 2030
This agreement comes at a time when the agricultural sector in the Kingdom is undergoing radical transformations in line with the objectives of Vision 2030 , which places great emphasis on achieving food security and the sustainability of natural resources. The Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development Program (REEF) is a key pillar of this vision, aiming to improve the quality of life in rural areas and increase farmers' productivity. The REEF Academy plays a pivotal role in this context by training human resources and equipping them with the necessary skills to work with modern agricultural technologies.
Integration between development work and the agricultural sector
On the other hand, the “Sakha’a Program” represents a leading national model for directing community contributions towards sustainable development projects. This partnership gains its significance through the integration of the technical and technological expertise of the Reef Academy with the enabling capabilities of the Sakha’a Program. This integration will transform agricultural initiatives from mere traditional projects into sustainable institutional entities that contribute to the GDP and create real job opportunities for Saudi youth.
Enhancing corporate sustainability
The memorandum emphasized the importance of institutional sustainability, agreeing on a comprehensive governance framework and precise performance indicators to measure impact. This step aims to transition agricultural initiatives to clear and effective operating models, ensuring their long-term continuity and success, and enhancing the effectiveness of the strategic partnership between the public and non-profit sectors in service of the public interest.
