As part of its ongoing efforts to protect plant life in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the National Center for Plant Pest and Animal Disease Prevention and Control (Wiqa’) organized a specialized awareness workshop on the red palm weevil at the Al-Barzah Center in Khulais Governorate, Makkah Region. This initiative is part of the center’s comprehensive strategy to curb the spread of this destructive pest, which threatens one of the Kingdom’s most important agricultural and economic symbols.
Workshop details and objectives
The workshop provided a detailed explanation of the symptoms of red palm weevil infestation, which are often subtle in their early stages, making early detection a significant challenge requiring expertise and close monitoring. Experts from the "Wiqa'a" initiative reviewed the necessary preventative measures that farmers should follow, from regular palm tree cleaning to the use of modern scientific methods for control and treatment. The workshop primarily aimed to raise awareness among farmers and those interested in the agricultural sector in Khulais Governorate, emphasizing that prevention is the first line of defense.
Red palm weevil: The hidden enemy of yellow gold
The red palm weevil is one of the most dangerous insect pests attacking palm trees worldwide, and it is of particular concern in Saudi Arabia, which is home to more than 33 million palm trees. The danger of this insect lies in the fact that its larvae feed on the internal tissues of the palm, leading to trunk damage and the tree's collapse if the problem is not addressed early. The Kingdom is working diligently through the "Wiqa'a" Center to control this pest and ensure the sustainability of date production, which is a key pillar of national food security and a key component of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals for diversifying non-oil revenue sources.
Community partnership to protect food security
For his part, Mansour bin Majid bin Shuwail, head of the Al-Barzah Center, emphasized the paramount importance of these direct field meetings with farmers during his attendance at the workshop. He pointed out that protecting palm trees is not merely an agricultural task, but a national duty to support food security and the local economy. Bin Shuwail commended the significant and high-quality efforts exerted by the Waqqa Center, praising its educational role in transferring knowledge and modern technologies to farmers to ensure sound and sustainable agricultural practices.
Sustainability of the agricultural sector
The workshop concluded with a brief explanation of the package of programs and initiatives implemented by “Wiqaa”, which are not limited to therapeutic control, but extend to include monitoring, investigation and control, which positively impacts the safety of palm trees and the quality of agricultural production in the region.
