RIYADH: The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture said in the past eight months, it has allocated SR1,617,831 ($431,000) to 165 farmers as part of its plan to support organic production.
The ministry said the number of applications submitted by farmers wishing to switch to organic farming reached 165.
The ministry recently signed a 12-month contract to support small farmers to switch to organic farming.
The contract aims to produce safe high-quality food, preserve the environment and natural resources, streamline consumption of irrigation water, and promote and support organic production.
Under the terms of the contract, the Saudi Organic Farming Society will implement guided field visits, qualify farms wishing to convert to organic agriculture, and prepare them for inspection and certification.
In January, King Salman inaugurated the Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program, which aims to boost production, processing and marketing of fruit, fish, livestock, Arabic coffee and cultivation of rain-fed crops.
The program will not only boost investment in the agriculture sector but it will also diversify the sector, improve the incomes of small farmers, create job opportunities and contribute to food security and sustainable development.
SR1.6 million allocated for Saudi farmers to go organic
SR1.6 million allocated for Saudi farmers to go organic
- Agriculture ministry recently signed a 12-month contract to support small farmers to switch to organic farming
European pilgrims visit Prophet’s biography museum, Islamic heritage sites in Madinah
- At the museum the visitors saw interactive displays and multimedia presentations about the Prophet Muhammad and other holy figures, historical events and Islamic culture
RIYADH: A group of 250 people from 14 European countries recently visited the International Fair and Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization in Madinah.
Guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Program for Umrah and Visit, the visitors were part of a wider scheme that will see 1,000 people from 66 countries perform Umrah in the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
At the museum the visitors saw interactive displays and multimedia presentations about the Prophet Muhammad and other holy figures, historical events, Islamic culture and initiatives to safeguard Islamic history and civilization.
The fair seeks to present Islamic culture in an engaging way for different audiences and the visitors expressed their thanks to the Kingdom’s leadership for facilitating their visits to Madinah and Makkah.
They also commended the Kingdom’s efforts to promote Islam’s message of tolerance and to foster appreciation for its historical and spiritual legacy.
As well as the museum, the group visited the Battle of Uhud site, Mount Al-Ramah, the Uhud Martyrs’ Cemetery and offered prayers at Quba Mosque.
At King Fahd Glorious Qur’an Printing Complex, the pilgrims learned about the various stages of printing the Holy Qur’an, preservation efforts and its translation into many languages.
At the end of their visit the pilgrims were presented with copies of the Qur’an by representatives of the complex.
Saudi aid efforts continue in Syria, Yemen, Lebanon
RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief’s humanitarian initiatives are benefiting thousands across Syria, Yemen and Lebanon.
In northern Syria, KSrelief delivered food baskets and hygiene kits to 551 earthquake-affected families in Aleppo, benefiting 3,306 individuals in one day.
In Yemen, 641 food baskets were distributed to vulnerable families in Aden and Lahij, assisting 4,487 individuals in one day.
KSrelief also concluded a week-long urology surgery project in Aden, involving nine specialists who examined 53 cases and performed 109 surgeries.
In Taiz, KSrelief’s rehabilitation center provided 1,537 services to 416 beneficiaries in one month, including prosthetic limb fittings, maintenance, physical therapy, and consultations.
In Lebanon, the KSrelief-funded Subul Al-Salam ambulance service conducted 51 missions in Miniyeh in one week, offering emergency aid to Syrian and Palestinian refugees and host communities.
Additionally, KSrelief distributed 175,000 bread bags to 12,500 families in one week through the Al-Amal Charity Bakery project in Akkar and Miniyeh.
New boot camps focus on data center training
- The program aims to produce skilled national talent for managing advanced data centers
Riyadh: Tuwaiq Academy has partnered with the Uptime Institute to offer six-month professional boot camps at its headquarters in Riyadh.
The program aims to produce skilled national talent for managing advanced data centers across various sectors, according to the Saudi Press Agency report.
The initiative addresses labor market needs in data-related fields, including data center management, analysis, and project design, by offering intensive boot camps with globally recognized certifications.
Training follows a hands-on, application-based approach in specialized data center management labs, equipping participants with essential skills to develop innovative solutions for diverse sectors.
Registration is open at tuwaiq.edu.sa.
Founded in 2019, Tuwaiq Academy trains over 1,000 in-person participants daily and provides professional certifications in collaboration with global leaders like Apple, Meta, Amazon, Alibaba, Dell, IBM, and Microsoft.
As the training arm of the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones, the academy has trained over 32,000 people, with 80 percent of graduates securing placements through its Tuwaiq Job Fair, in collaboration with government and private sectors.
Saudi royal reserve launches 45-day Naylat Camp in Hail
RIYADH: The King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority has launched Naylat Camp, a 45-day event in the Hail region, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
Located in the breathtaking Naylat area, renowned for its soaring mountains, golden sands, clear skies and tranquility, the camp offers a mix of adventure and relaxation.
Visitors can enjoy camel and horse riding, challenging hiking trails, stargazing, and exploring archaeological and historical sites within the reserve.
The camp features facilities designed to enhance the visitor experience while promoting sustainable ecotourism, according to SPA.
The initiative aims to promote sustainable tourism by showcasing the region’s natural beauty, raising environmental awareness about preserving biodiversity, and supporting the local community through seasonal job opportunities and regional development.
The King Salman reserve covers an area of 130,700 sq. km, spanning four administrative regions: Al-Jawf, Hail, Northern Borders and Tabuk. It features diverse natural habitats, terrains and distinctive geographic formations.
Saudi Arabia embassy resumes diplomatic activities in Afghanistan
- Afghan foreign ministry welcomes Kingdom’s decision to resume diplomatic operations in Kabul
- Saudi Arabia to 'provide all services to the brotherly Afghan people'
RIYADH: The Saudi embassy in the Afghan capital, Kabul, resumed its diplomatic activities on Sunday.
The Afghan foreign ministry on Monday welcomed Saudi Arabia’s decision to resume its diplomatic operations in Kabul, more than three years after Riyadh withdrew its staff during the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.
“We are optimistic about the possibility of strengthening relations and cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan through the resumption of these activities,” said Afghan foreign ministry spokesman Zia Ahmad in a statement.
“We will also be able to respond to the problems of Afghans residing in Saudi Arabia.”
Riyadh had posted its decision to resume diplomatic operations in Kabul on social media platform X on Sunday.
“Based on the desire of the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to provide all services to the brotherly Afghan people, it has been decided to resume the activities of the mission of the Kingdom in Kabul starting on December 22,” it said.
Ties between Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan date back to 1932 when the Kingdom became the first Islamic country to provide aid to the Afghan people during their ordeals.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia launched numerous projects in Afghanistan through its humanitarian arm King Salman Relief Center, focusing on aid relief, health, education services, water and food security.
Riyadh also participated in all international donor conferences and called for establishing security and stability in Afghanistan following years of armed conflicts.
Saudi Arabia withdrew its diplomats from Kabul in August 2021 when the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan following the US withdrawal from the country.
However, it said it was resuming consular services in the country in November 2021 and continues to provide aid through KSrelief.
