Saudi Arabia's rural areas support rainfed crops with modern equipment in 4 regions
In a strategic move aimed at enhancing food security and supporting small farmers, the Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development Program (Reef Saudi Arabia) delivered a new batch of advanced equipment to rainfed crop farmers. This batch included the distribution of 729 modern devices and machines, targeting farmers in four key regions: Makkah, Al-Baha, Asir, and Jazan, which constitute the geographical heartland of rainfed agriculture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Details of technical and logistical support
The operational package distributed included 200 specialized tillage machines, along with 529 technical attachments, specifically designed to suit the mountainous and rugged terrain of the agricultural terraces in the southern and western regions. The program's spokesperson, Majid Al-Buraikan, explained that the project adopts a comprehensive approach that goes beyond mere supply, extending to include training beneficiaries on safe operation to ensure the equipment's sustainability. Field technical teams provide ongoing guidance and support, and measure performance indicators to minimize resource waste.
The strategic importance of rainfed crops
This step is particularly important given the geographical and historical context of the targeted regions. The Asir, Al-Baha, Jazan, and Makkah regions are considered the original home of rainfed agriculture in the Kingdom, where inhabitants have relied since ancient times on agricultural terraces to harvest rainwater and cultivate grains, coffee, and fruit. The Saudi Countryside Development Initiative supports the revival of this agricultural heritage using modern technologies, contributing to the preservation of vegetation cover, combating desertification, and utilizing renewable natural resources with high efficiency.
Economic and social impact
Through this technical support, the program aims to bring about a qualitative shift in production efficiency and reduce the operational costs that have long burdened small farmers, particularly labor costs and the time spent on traditional methods. This initiative seeks to transform agricultural practices from simple, traditional methods to organized, technologically advanced processes, thereby improving crop quality, strengthening local value chains, and opening up broader marketing opportunities for Saudi rural products.
Alignment with the Kingdom's Vision 2030
This initiative is central to the Saudi Countryside Development Strategy, which aims to enhance food security and empower rural communities, directly aligning with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the economic base and support local content. Equipping farmers with modern tools is a fundamental pillar for ensuring the stability of rural populations in their regions, creating sustainable job opportunities, and contributing to self-sufficiency in several strategic crops.
