Saudi Arabia allocates SAR 1.6 mln to boost organic farming

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has allocated SAR 1.6 million to 165 farmers as part of its plan to support organic production in the past eight months.

The ministry also recently signed a 12-month contract to support small farmers to switch to organic farming, Saudi Press Agency reported.

The contract aims to produce safe high-quality food, preserve the environment and natural resources, streamline consumption of irrigation water, and promote and support organic production.

Under the terms of the contract, the Saudi Organic Farming Society will implement guided field visits, qualify farms wishing to convert to organic agriculture, and prepare them for inspection and certification.

In January, King Salman inaugurated the Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program, which aims to boost production, processing and marketing of fruit, fish, livestock, Arabic coffee and cultivation of rain-fed crops.