TABUK: Tabuk is one of the prominent regions in the Kingdom that significantly contributes toward the needs of the country by producing different types of agricultural crops on more than 14,500 farms over an area exceeding 270,000 hectares.

Every year from July until October alone, farms in Tabuk harvest from more than 55,000 fig trees that produce about 150 tons of the fruit annually, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

Overall, the Kingdom produces about 27,000 tons of figs annually and is 107 percent self-sufficient.

Speaking about the health benefits of figs, therapeutic nutritionist Mona Al-Balwi said that the fruit is rich in potassium, which reduces blood pressure and keeps the heart healthy.

It also contains important fibers for the intestines and is rich in calcium, which keeps bones healthy and protects against osteoporosis.

According to Al-Balwi, figs are also safe for diabetic people, since they have a low glycemic index — an index that measures the blood-sugar level after consuming certain foods.

It is recommended that diabetic people eat fresh figs instead of dry ones, as dry figs contain a higher amount of sugar compared to fresh figs.

However, kidney dialysis patients should consult their therapeutic nutritionist before consuming figs as they are rich in potassium.

The branch of the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in the region supports farmers’ efforts at boosting the agriculture by using the newest agricultural techniques to produce the best-quality crops.

The ministry also supports agricultural projects and farmers by providing facilitating agricultural loans, machines, irrigation pumps and other equipment.

It works on developing the production, processing, and marketing of figs through the Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program.