Pomegranates Mark The Arrival Of Autumn In Aseer Region With Vibrant Harvests And Festivals

The Aseer region is famous for its pomegranate trees, often referred to as the "autumn fruit." The harvest season kicks off in September. This year, there has been a bountiful yield of high-quality pomegranates. Some are sold in local markets, while the rest are distributed across the Kingdom.

Agricultural Engineer Hassan bin Omair Al-Wadei, from the National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases (Weqaa), highlighted that pomegranates are a vital crop in Aseer. Their growth depends on fertile soil, a moderate climate, and sufficient water supply, all of which Aseer provides. He noted that farms throughout Aseer's governorates cultivate various pomegranate types, especially southern varieties like Taifi, Makkah, and Egyptian Manfalouti.

Several annual festivals celebrate pomegranates in Aseer, including the Jawf Al-Maamer Pomegranate Festival held in Sarat Abidah, Al-Farshah, Ahad Rafidah, and Dhahran Al-Janoub. Al-Wadei emphasized that effective agricultural practices by Aseer's farmers are crucial for producing these nutritious fruits. These practices involve tree pruning, preparing irrigation basins, using natural fertilizers, and adhering to an irrigation schedule from leaf emergence to flowering.

During flowering, irrigation occurs every 10 days to prevent flower drop after fruit setting. Once fruiting begins, regular irrigation resumes twice weekly. Farmers also start protecting pomegranates from pests and diseases with assistance from the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture through Weqaa Center's integrated farm management plan.

Specialists support farmers by monitoring crops and providing guidance on pest control methods. Al-Wadei mentioned that one prevalent pest is the "pomegranate fruit worm," which is monitored until harvest time. Pest control measures cease a month before harvesting to ensure consumer safety by keeping pesticide residues off the fruit.

Al-Wadei stressed that proper farming techniques from planting to harvesting contribute significantly to the abundance and quality of these fruits. The Ministry's support helps farmers manage pests effectively while ensuring high standards of produce safety.

The successful cultivation of pomegranates in Aseer not only boosts local markets but also supports exports across Saudi Arabia. This reflects the region's commitment to maintaining high agricultural standards while promoting its unique produce nationwide.

With inputs from SPA