Al-Hariq Governor Mohammed bin Nasser Al-Jarbaa opened the ninth edition of the Citrus Festival in Al-Hariq governorate under the patronage of Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Emir of the Riyadh region. The festival runs from January 1 to 10, 2025, and is organized by the National Agricultural Services Company. It aims to market local farmers' products and reinforce citrus fruit's standing as a leading agricultural commodity in the region.

A Full Slate of Activities and Interactive Tours

The Al-Hariq governor invited visitors to discover the governorate's heritage and natural landmarks, noting the availability of tourist facilities such as restaurants and desert sites to welcome guests. The festival's program included entertainment and cultural events, along with educational workshops to raise farmers' awareness of the latest citrus-growing techniques.

Following the opening ceremony, the governor toured the festival's pavilions, which included:

  • Citrus sections: showcasing more than 20 varieties of the finest local produce.
  • Productive families: displaying distinctive handmade goods such as dates and honey.
  • Food trucks: offering a range of food and beverages.

Backing Local Agriculture and Vision 2030

Engineer Ibrahim Al-Ajyan, director general of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture's office in Al-Hariq, said the festival serves as an integrated marketing platform that supports citrus and other crops, in line with Saudi Vision 2030's goals of boosting self-sufficiency and local production.

By the Numbers

The festival drew wide participation:

  • 50 pavilions dedicated to citrus fruit.
  • 90 productive families taking part.
  • 18 date products and 23 honey products on display.
    Investors, agricultural companies and government entities also attended, alongside visitors from across the Kingdom and the Gulf.