RIYADH: The National Center for Wildlife Development launched on Tuesday a project that aims to assess the state of marine habitats in the Arabian Gulf’s Saudi waters, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The NCWD said the goal behind the project was to build a baseline for developing an integrated management plan for marine environments, preserving biodiversity and reducing threats.
It will also enhance the sustainability of marine environments in Saudi waters in light of their economic, social and cultural value and their provision of many valuable ecosystem services.
Mohammed Ali Qurban, NCWD’s CEO, said the project aimed to provide a basic assessment of the condition of coral reefs, seagrass meadows, mangrove forests, and associated animals and marine species.
The project will identify natural risks associated with human activities that threaten these coastal ecosystems, and concurrently, find solutions to reduce those threats.
It will also design an effective plan to preserve and rehabilitate these coastal habitats, based on the data provided by the project.
Qurban said Saudi waters in the Gulf cover an area exceeding 27,000 square kilometers and contain very important marine habitats, which support a wide range of marine species.
NCWD’s CEO pointed out that marine systems are exposed to many pressures and require continuous monitoring and the application of an effective plan to preserve and manage them in a sustainable manner.
The data provided by the project constitute an essential factor for conservation and rehabilitation measures and enabling NCWD and other relevant parties to build a management plan to sustain these valuable habitats.
NCWD launches project to evaluate marine species in Arabian Gulf
https://arab.news/jb2eb
NCWD launches project to evaluate marine species in Arabian Gulf
- Goal behind project is to build baseline for developing integrated management plan for marine environments
- NCWD CEO said project aims to provide basic assessment of the condition of coral reefs
Najran farmers find sugarcane cultivation viable, promising lucrative economic returns
- Najran's mountainous parts are blessed with temperate climate and abundant water resources, suitable for sugarcane production
NAJRAN: Farmers in Saudi Arabia's southwestern region of Najran have found that sugarcane production is a viable enterprise, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) has reported.
One farmer, Ibrahim Shakwan, confirmed to SPA the success of his 7.3-hectare sugarcane farm and noted "growing regional interest due to its high productivity and lucrative economic returns."
Najran was chosen as a trial area for sugarcane production owing to the temperate climate, diverse soils, and abundant water resources in its mountainous parts. The experiment is in line with Saudi Vision 2030, which calls for enhancing food security and self-sufficiency.
Others regions in the Kingdom's southwest, such as Jazan, Asir and Baha, have similar features as Najran.
Sugarcane is easily propagated via cuttings that yield a high number of plantable pieces. Planting occurs primarily in the summer, although seedlings can be planted year-round.
Effective cultivation methods include selecting disease-resistant varieties, proper soil preparation, and balanced irrigation and fertilization, according to the report.
The crop is harvested approximately eight months after planting, with fertilization ending three months before and irrigation ceasing 20 days prior to harvest to boost sugar concentration and improve juice quality, which is rich in natural sugars, vitamins, and minerals.
Several countries in the Middle East have long been growing sugarcane, with Egypt and Iran as key producers.
Botanists believe sugarcane was first cultivated 10,000 years ago in what is now New Guinea in the southwest Pacific Ocean, where the environment is humid, according to an article titled Sugar Please, published in the Aramcoworld magazine in 2012.
