Shaqra Pepper Festival Set To Stimulate Economic Growth With Local Agriculture

Residents and visitors of Shaqra Governorate in Riyadh Region are eagerly anticipating the Fourth Shaqra Pepper Festival. This ten-day event, starting on July 28, will be held at the Municipality Gallery for Ceremonies and Conferences. The festival is under the patronage of Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Riyadh Region.

Pepper farmers in Shaqra, who produce over 78% of Saudi Arabia's pepper, will showcase their finest hot peppers. The event aims to help these farmers market their products, educate them on healthy practices, and create seasonal job opportunities. It also highlights investment opportunities in pepper-related processing industries.

The festival features various programs, events, seminars, and lectures by agricultural specialists. Competitions will be held to select the best model pepper farm, product, and the largest pepper tree. Known as "Habhar Shaqra," hot pepper from this region is highly valued in Saudi and Gulf markets for its taste and heat.

Hot pepper is a significant cash crop with high economic feasibility. Advanced agricultural practices allow it to be grown in open fields and greenhouses, yielding large quantities of high-quality produce. This results in excellent economic returns for farmers.

In Saudi Arabia, farm pepper is planted in April, October, and November. Greenhouse cultivation occurs from late August to early September. The harvest season starts after 120 days and lasts for three months. Seed productivity ranges between 150 - 75 grams per acre.

The Kingdom produces 119,700 tons of pepper annually with a self-sufficiency rate of 72%. It is cultivated over an area of about 3,167 hectares across various regions. Riyadh leads with an annual production of 65,796 tons in Shaqra Governorate.

Regional Pepper Production

Other regions contributing to pepper production include Tabuk with 10,484 tons; Qassim with 9,045 tons; Eastern Region with 8,871 tons; Jazan with 7,347 tons; Najran with 5,548 tons; Makkah with 4,675 tons; Madinah with 3,198 tons; Al-Baha with 2,331 tons; Hail with 1,155 tons; Asir with 773 tons; Al-Jouf with 357 tons; and Northern Borders with 100 tons.

Uses and Health Benefits

Chilli peppers are used globally in food preparation including spicy snacks and traditional meals. Capsaicin from chilli peppers is used in ointments for pain relief and skin patches as a topical painkiller. It is also used in chemical irritants for security purposes like tear gas.

The global pepper market is projected to grow from $1.61 billion in 2024 to $2.16 billion by 2029. Peppers offer numerous health benefits such as providing essential vitamins, aiding cancer prevention, burning fat, lowering cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and eliminating harmful bacteria.

The Fourth Shaqra Pepper Festival promises to be an engaging event that not only celebrates local agriculture but also promotes economic opportunities within the region.

With inputs from SPA