Saudi farmer invests in stevia to promote healthier food production

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Hamad Mansour Al-Abbas a proffessional farmer with over 35 years of experience in the field of agriculture. (SPA)
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A Saudi farmer dedicated 2000 square meters of his huge farm to grow stevia in Najran. (SPA)
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A Saudi farmer dedicated 2000 square meters of his huge farm to grow stevia in Najran. (SPA)
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Updated 20 January 2023
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Saudi farmer invests in stevia to promote healthier food production

  • Hamad Mansour Al-Abbas provides alternative to sugar
  • Najran’s fertile soil ideal for fast-growing, hardy plant

JEDDAH: Many regions in the Kingdom have rich, fertile soil suitable for cultivating a variety of crops, including stevia which has been considered a natural and healthy alternative to sugar according to the European Food Safety Authority.

Hamad Mansour Al-Abbas, a Saudi farmer from Najran city in the southwestern region, with over 35 years of experience, has set aside 2,000 square meters of his 100,000-square-meter farm to grow stevia because of its health benefits.

Al-Abbas told Arab News: “It is known that the stevia plant is a herb that stays in the soil for up to seven years and is characterized by its very high sweetness. It is an alternative to sugar for those who follow a regular or keto diet or suffer from diabetes. As an admirer of natural alternatives and organic agriculture, I chose this plant because the soil fertility in Najran is high and can grow any crop.”




Hamad Mansour Al-Abbas a proffessional farmer with over 35 years of experience in the field of agriculture. (SPA)

Stevia leaves contain natural compounds and are as sweet as traditional sugar. The plant also has considerable nutritional and therapeutic properties, is safer than artificial sweeteners, with fewer calories, and several vitamins and minerals.

Al-Abbas was able to grow 15,000 stevia plants, aiming to introduce new herbal plants and trees into the local environment for marketing and distribution inside and outside the region.

Stevia is planted in rows, spaced out at five centimeters, and can be harvested and processed every three months, which helps to provide a large amount in one year.

“The plant grows within 30 days, after that it goes through three phases including harvesting, drying away from direct sunlight, then grinding through a machine. Once it is turned into a loose green powder, it is then packed into six packs of two grams each.”

The natural sweetener is then wrapped and distributed to markets in Najran. “My farm produces 5,000 packs of pure stevia loose powder per month, and I am currently studying the idea of establishing a factory so I can distribute it throughout the Kingdom as a healthy and natural product.”




A Saudi farmer dedicated 2000 square meters of his huge farm to grow stevia in Najran. (SPA)

Natural green powder

The difference between the natural stevia that Al-Abbas offers and others in many stores, is that his produce is a real natural sweetener in the form of green powder made only from dried leaves. Most store-bought stevia comes in the form of white powder, which has been through a water-extraction method, is semi-processed and up to 300 times sweeter than sugar.

The greenish powder helps to maintain healthy gums and teeth, and can be used as a natural sweetener with tea and warm drinks. Al-Abbas also offers it in a white powder similar to regular sugar, which is the extract of the stevia plant with a higher concentration. He also produces organic soap made of stevia extract that is beneficial for the skin.

Apart from stevia, Al-Abbas grows a variety of vegetables, herbs and strawberries, and his farm’s rich soil — in the moderate climate, with adequate water — is ideal for organic agriculture.




A Saudi farmer dedicated 2000 square meters of his huge farm to grow stevia in Najran, (SPA)

Al-Abbas said the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has held many workshops on his farm for trainees and specialists. He thanked the ministry for the support, which has included fertilizers, seeds and advice.

“I would like to mention that I have grown many crops during my life as a professional farmer, and I am very happy to see many new crops prospering in the region, such as pomegranates and coffee — especially that it is being cultivated with Saudi hands, where Saudis are supervising their farms and looking after it by themselves.”

He said the ministry continues to support all types of agriculture in Najran, including rare plants, assists with streamlining supply chains, and provides training and regulatory oversight. It also helps farmers move to safer, organic farming practices without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, or genetically modified materials, that could be harmful to consumers and the environment.


Riyadh Design Law Treaty signed at intellectual property conference in Saudi Arabia

Updated 13 sec ago
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Riyadh Design Law Treaty signed at intellectual property conference in Saudi Arabia

  • Document aims to enhance designers’ rights, unify design registration procedures 

RIYADH: Member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization officially adopted the Riyadh Design Law Treaty on Friday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The treaty, which aims to enhance designers’ rights and unify design registration procedures, was finalized at the Diplomatic Conference to Conclude and Adopt a Design Law Treaty at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh, which finished on Friday.

By establishing a robust legal framework, the Riyadh treaty is set to bolster innovation and creativity across multiple industries worldwide, the SPA added.

Abdulaziz Al-Suwailem, the CEO of the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property, spoke of the significance of the treaty’s adoption.

He said: “The name Riyadh treaty reflects Saudi Arabia’s pivotal role as a bridge between cultures and a hub for supporting global initiatives.

“Adopting this treaty is a historic achievement highlighting Saudi Arabia’s cooperation and contribution to the international intellectual property framework. It opens new avenues for collaboration among member states.

“This treaty will lay the foundation for vital legal frameworks that benefit designers and bolster innovation and creativity worldwide.”

The event, which was hosted by the SAIP, gathered high-level representatives and decision-makers from the WIPO’s 193 member states.


Environment minister opens international dates exhibition in Riyadh

Updated 20 min 43 sec ago
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Environment minister opens international dates exhibition in Riyadh

  • About 100 local, international bodies participating

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s environment minister has opened an exhibition in Riyadh which showcases a range of date products and their history.

Abdulrahman Al-Fadli, the Saudi minister of environment, water and agriculture, officially opened the International Dates Conference and Exhibition 2024, organized by the National Center for Palms and Dates. It runs until Nov. 28 with about 100 local and international entities participating.

It is a “global platform to showcase Saudi dates, drive innovation in their processing industries, and enhance their global export potential,” according to organizers.

The exhibition aims to enhance the competitiveness of Saudi products, contributing to the development of the palm and dates sector as a key pillar in driving economic growth.

Visitors can taste date varieties from the different regions of the Kingdom, including Al-Ahsa, Al-Qassim, AlUla, and Al-Jouf.

The exhibition also includes a variety of entertainment activities such as folklore shows, regional poetry, and cooking competitions.

On the sidelines of the opening ceremony, a carbonated sugar-sweetened date drink was launched by Al-Madinah Heritage Company, a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund.

The exhibition also features a museum which takes visitors on a journey through time to explore the history of palm trees and dates over 1,000 years.

The museum showcases manuscripts and agricultural tools that highlight the significance of dates in daily life and literary culture.

It also houses archaeological collections showing the different uses of palm trees through the ages, including as tools.

In addition, there is a live cooking area that brings together local and international chefs to present a range of date-based dishes.

Al-Fadli, along with several officials and foreign delegations, toured the exhibition’s pavilions and explored a range of date-based products, such as juices, baked goods, and date chocolate.


Italian and Saudi flavors blend in embassy dinner and cooking competition

Risotto competition at the "Italy meets KSA" dinner at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. (AN photo)
Updated 40 min 21 sec ago
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Italian and Saudi flavors blend in embassy dinner and cooking competition

  • Highlighting similarities between Italian and Saudi cultures that can be sensed in their cuisines, Chiari said: “Both Italy and Saudi Arabia place great importance on hospitality, family, and the tradition of sharing meals

RIYADH: A group of 15 Saudi and Italian chefs created a seven-course dinner titled “Italy meets KSA,” combining both cuisines at Ritz Carlton’s Azzuro Restaurant.

Daniele Chiari, Italian chef and head of Dinner Incredible, the hosts of the event, told Arab News: “Tonight’s event in Riyadh is inspired by the shared love for storytelling and culture through cuisine. As a chef, I see food as a universal language that connects people, and Saudi Arabia’s culinary traditions are incredibly rich and diverse, just like Italy’s.”

Mozzarella demonstration at the "Italy meets KSA" dinner at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. (AN photo)

The event featured a culinary risotto competition between top Saudi chefs, which was won by Omar AlKhaldi, who received a scholarship fund from ALMA, the School of Italian Culinary Arts.

The event also had a display of fresh mozzarella cheese for tasting, made in the Kingdom by Sana cheese company, which specializes in Italian cheeses.

Risotto competition at the "Italy meets KSA" dinner at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. (AN photo)

“This evening, we aim to create a bridge between these two cultures, highlighting how local Saudi ingredients and techniques can harmonize beautifully with Italian culinary artistry,” Chiari said.

The evening concluded with a seven-course tasting dinner highlighting Italian and Saudi flavors. The menu included a pumpkin tart, cream of beans soup with shredded camel meat, a Red Sea grouper served with truffle, and a Saudi-coffee twist on the famous tiramisu.

Red Sea grouper at the "Italy meets KSA" dinner at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. (AN photo)

Highlighting similarities between Italian and Saudi cultures that can be sensed in their cuisines, Chiari said: “Both Italy and Saudi Arabia place great importance on hospitality, family, and the tradition of sharing meals. In terms of food, there’s a deep respect for natural, high-quality ingredients in both cuisines. Just as Italians value simplicity and the authentic taste of their produce, Saudis take pride in the purity and flavor of their spices, grains, and meats.”

Chiari spoke about the ability of food to cross international borders and connect communities.

Rosewater-glazed lamb at the "Italy meets KSA" dinner at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. (AN photo)

“Food is one of the most powerful ways to build connections and foster understanding between cultures. It transcends language, politics, and borders, allowing people to experience something deeply personal yet universally relatable. By crossing international borders through food, we’re not just sharing recipes — we’re sharing history, values, and creativity.”

The competition was organized by the Italian Embassy in Riyadh, the Italian Trade Agency, and ALMA, the School of Italian Culinary Arts, in collaboration with Sitaf and the Royal Protocol.

 

 


Saudi Artisanal Co. showcases artisanry at Banan 2024 exhibition

Updated 30 min 8 sec ago
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Saudi Artisanal Co. showcases artisanry at Banan 2024 exhibition

  • The Saudi Artisanal Co. will display diverse collections of handicrafts reflecting national heritage

RIYADH: The Saudi Artisanal Co. is showcasing a variety of handicrafts that reflect authentic Saudi heritage in an effort to support artisans during the Saudi International Handicrafts Week Exhibition, or Banan, taking place in Riyadh from Nov. 23 to 29.

The exhibition, organized by the Heritage Commission and in its second edition, brings together more than 500 local and international artisans from over 20 countries.

It offers a distinctive cultural experience through interactive events that promote handicrafts and cultural heritage, focusing on supporting artisans locally and internationally.

The Saudi Artisanal Co. will display diverse collections of handicrafts reflecting national heritage with the aim of fostering innovation and expanding the reach of Saudi artisanry in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals.

 


Saudi and Japanese culture ministers discuss ways to strengthen cooperation

Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan and his Japanese counterpart Toshiko Abe sign an MoU to enhance co
Updated 22 November 2024
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Saudi and Japanese culture ministers discuss ways to strengthen cooperation

  • Ministers sign MoU to enhance cultural exchange between the two countries

 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan met with his Japanese counterpart Toshiko Abe on Friday, Nov. 22. The two discussed various ways to enhance cultural cooperation between the two countries, according to a report by the Saudi Press Agency.

Prince Badr met with Abe as part of his official visit to Japan to attend the “Marvels of Saudi Orchestra” show in Tokyo, which took place on Thursday.

The Saudi minister noted that the Kingdom’s upcoming participation at Expo 2025 in Osaka highlights the strong relations between the two countries, and wished Japan success in hosting the event.

In their meeting, the ministers addressed the importance of “strengthening cultural relations between the Kingdom and Japan,” the SPA reported, and of “enhancing existing cooperation between the Saudi Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission and the Japanese to train Saudi students in the art of creating manga comics.”

Prince Badr and his Japanese counterpart signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at “enhancing cooperation and cultural exchange between the two countries through the exchange of knowledge in systems and regulations related to cultural affairs, in the field of animation, and projects related to preserving heritage of all kinds, in addition to digital preservation technologies for heritage, and developing artistic residency programs between the two countries.”

The MoU is part of the Ministry of Culture’s efforts to enhance international cultural exchange, one of the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.