The Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program (Reef), operating under the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture (MEWA) in Saudi Arabia, has unveiled remarkable achievements in boosting self-sufficiency within the country’s agricultural domain. In 2023, Reef’s support has facilitated over 63,000 agricultural projects, resulting in a self-sufficiency rate exceeding 63% in the value-added sector.
Reef’s multifaceted initiatives have been instrumental in augmenting stable local food supplies by enhancing and diversifying agricultural production. This, in turn, has contributed to market stability and mitigated the impact of global food price fluctuations. The program’s efforts have led to the development of various agricultural crops, addressing supply shortages during emergencies and aiding small-scale farmers’ access to nourishing food sources.
Through a comprehensive infographic shared on social media, Reef detailed impressive self-sufficiency milestones across multiple sectors. In the Saudi coffee sector, Reef achieved a self-sufficiency rate of 16%, generating 1,009 tons in 2023, with a projected target of 7,000 tons by 2026.
Reef’s impact on the fruit sector led to a self-sufficiency rate of 22%, yielding 90,000 tons, and is anticipated to reach an impressive 305,000 tons in 2026. Additionally, in the realm of roses and aromatic plants, a self-sufficiency rate of 33% was achieved through the cultivation of 651 million roses. Reef’s ambitious goal for 2026 is an astounding 2 billion roses.
The program’s contributions extended to the honey sector, where self-sufficiency reached 49%, resulting in a production of 3,748,000 tons in 2023. This figure is poised to grow to 7,500,000 tons by 2026.
Furthermore, Reef demonstrated a self-sufficiency rate of 13% in the rain-fed crops sector, producing 27,000 tons in the current year, with a projected increase to 195,000 tons by 2026.
Reef’s comprehensive approach to achieving food security and self-sufficiency encompassed diverse agricultural products, resulting in a total production quantity of 350,537,000 tons in 2023. The program’s support extended to 70 varied products, fostering improved income and livelihoods for small-scale farmers, creating job opportunities, and promoting social stability. Additionally, Reef played a pivotal role in environmental conservation and resource preservation, with a targeted planting of 18 million seedlings across an area exceeding 150,000 hectares in 2023.
The Reef program’s success in enhancing self-sufficiency within Saudi Arabia’s agricultural landscape stands as a testament to its commitment to sustainability, prosperity, and resilience.