RIYADH: A resurgence in almond cultivation is taking root along the scenic route between Taif and Baha, signifying the revival of a practice deeply embedded in the cultural fabric of this part of Saudi Arabia.
Fahd Al-Zahrani, director of the local branch of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, said that that almond trees are once again a common sight across the landscape.
“Almond cultivation has spread to several areas including Baha, Baljurashi, Al-Mandaq, Bani Hassan, and Al-Qura,” he said.
Almond trees, members of the Rosaceae family, are primarily grown on agricultural terraces in the Sarawat Mountains, he added. They cover about 67 hectares there and are considered an alternative crop in the region.
“The average yield is 1 tonne of green fruit per 3.6 hectares,” Al-Zahrani told the Saudi Press Agency. He said the ministry offers investment opportunities in two “almond cities” covering an area of more than 1.5 million square meters, and works to enhance the skills of farmers through workshops.
It supports the growth and sustainability of tree farms through initiatives such as an organic farming program and Saudi Reef, also known as the Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program, which supports environmental sustainability and agricultural diversification by aiding the development of rural communities and efforts to achieve food security.
