Reef Saudi Achieves Major Cost Reduction In Rain-Fed Crop Harvesting

The Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program, known as "Reef Saudi," has made significant strides in reducing the harvesting costs for rainfed crops such as wheat and barley. By incorporating mechanization into its processes, the program has achieved up to a 90% reduction in harvesting expenses. This milestone was shared during a workshop in Riyadh, focusing on the national plan for rainfed agriculture. The event saw participation from the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, field specialists, and a delegation from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The workshop discussed the phased implementation of the national plan for rainfed agriculture, starting with prioritizing crop cultivation in regions like Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, and Makkah. Future phases will consider updated rainfall maps to extend the program's reach. Reef Saudi aims to bolster self-sufficiency in crops such as sorghum, millet, sesame, wheat, and barley. The program's strategies include enhancing productivity through water-harvesting and modern irrigation techniques and improving small farmers' livelihoods by increasing income and well-being.

Reef Saudi's multifaceted approach encompasses promoting agricultural best practices, distributing high-quality seeds, and focusing on specific crops like sorghum, sesame, and millet. The program also emphasizes advanced technical services for post-harvest operations and supports small farmers with extension services and technical assistance. Additionally, it aids in establishing cooperative societies to provide essential services to farmers.

The achievements of Reef Saudi were highlighted at the workshop. Notably, over 370 machines have been utilized through the mechanization initiative, aiding more than 2,256 farmers. This effort has enabled the harvesting of over 7.8 million square meters of land and prepared an additional 1.3 million square meters for agricultural use. With 334,534 hectares identified as suitable for rainfed agriculture within the Kingdom, the first stage targets 33,358 hectares for investment.

Since its inception in 2020, Reef Saudi has supported 2,078 men and 1,527 women farmers involved in rain-fed crop production. The program has disbursed a total of SAR41.86 million in support to these producers up to the first quarter of 2024. During this period, total production of rainfed crops reached 45,366 tons.

Rainfed agriculture represents a sustainable production strategy that is adaptable to various climatic conditions across arid regions. It plays a crucial role in contributing to food and water security while improving soil fertility. The success of Reef Saudi in modernizing and incentivizing rainfed agriculture underscores its potential to foster more sustainable and efficient agricultural practices across the Kingdom.

With inputs from SPA