Najran region hosted the launch of the 14th Najran National Citrus Festival, organized by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture's branch in the region at the King Abdulaziz Park walkway east of Najran city, with wide participation from farmers, investors and entities specializing in sustainable agriculture.

The festival is a prominent event reflecting the region's agricultural diversity, with its activities focused on boosting investment and agricultural marketing in the citrus sector, an important economic contributor for the region's farmers and investors. The participating pavilions spanned 1,200 square meters, offering visitors a distinctive experience that included learning about and tasting local agricultural products, and discovering agricultural best practices.

The Role of "Najran Sustainability" at the Festival

In a press tour with the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Eng. Hamad Al-Dakman, head of the plant protection and agricultural extension department at Najran Sustainability, said the National Center for Sustainable Agriculture Research and Development is taking part in the festival by showcasing its latest research and innovative agricultural solutions. He confirmed that the center focuses on improving citrus productivity using modern techniques to increase the efficiency of water and energy consumption, in line with Saudi Vision 2030's goals of achieving food security and boosting environmental sustainability.

Al-Dakman also noted that Najran Sustainability is working to select the finest trees and seeds for cultivation in the region, and to build strong partnerships with farmers to improve agricultural productivity and develop a sustainable agriculture system.

Najran Green Society's Efforts

Rifaan Al-Amer, chairman of the Najran Green Society, said the society is playing an active role in expanding the region's green cover by planting and protecting perennial trees from extinction. More than 60,000 trees have been planted in Najran over the past four years, with an ambitious plan to plant 500,000 trees by 2027 in support of the Saudi Green Initiative's targets.

Farmers' and Investors' Experience

Farmer Ibrahim Saleh Al-Sanan expressed his happiness with the festival, noting its role in marketing the products of the region's farmers, such as oranges, lemons, kumquats and tangerines, among other citrus fruits. He praised the festival's level of organization, which he said helps showcase the diversity of agricultural production and provides an opportunity for direct product marketing.

Investor Abdullah Fahd Al-Waeli said Najran enjoys exceptional agricultural conditions thanks to the quality of its soil and the availability of water, making it a suitable environment for agricultural investment. He noted that his farm, located in Khubash governorate, contains more than 50,000 citrus trees of various kinds, underscoring the huge potential for agricultural investment in the region.

Closing: An Integrated Agricultural and Investment Platform

The Najran National Citrus Festival affirms the region's standing as a distinguished agricultural and investment destination, and reflects the Kingdom's commitment to developing the agricultural sector and supporting farmers in ways that strengthen food security and the local economy while preserving environmental sustainability.