The Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture in Saudi Arabia has confirmed a self-sufficiency rate of 124% in dates, with an output surpassing 1.6 million tons annually. This milestone was reached through the expansion of palm cultivation, now spanning roughly 165,000 hectares across the Kingdom.
The Riyadh region stands as the top producer within the country, delivering 436,112 tons, followed by the Qassim region with 390,698 tons. Other significant contributors include Madinah with 263,283 tons and the Eastern Region with 203,069 tons. Additional regions such as Hail, Al-Jouf, Makkah, Asir, Tabuk, Najran, Al-Baha, the Northern Borders, and Jazan collectively bolster the national production figures.
This achievement underscores the Ministry's commitment to advancing the palm industry through innovative agricultural techniques, quality enhancements, and contributions to the domestic product. The Harvest Season campaign, highlighting these accomplishments, aims to promote local fruit production and consumption, disseminate knowledge about agricultural offerings, and support local farmers' economic well-being.
Source: saudigazette.com.sa