RIYADH: Young entrepreneurs in the Qassim region have entered the date trade, buying dates from local farms or entering into agreements with farmers to care for the dates for a specified period. They also attend the dawn date auction in Buraidah to buy dates for resale in shops or online.
The Buraidah Dates Carnival is a key economic opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs, providing a platform for increased earnings and self-sufficiency. Featuring more than 50 date varieties it draws crowds every day and is fast becoming a major attraction for those interested in the date sector.
The carnival is a symbol of the Kingdom’s agricultural economy, creating thousands of jobs and boosting economic activity in Buraidah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Mohammed Al-Rumyyan, an expert in farm acquisitions, identified the date season in Buraidah as an excellent opportunity for young people to earn money.
He emphasized the importance of proper care, such as watering and fertilizing, to produce high-quality dates. After harvesting, dates are sorted into grades before being packaged for sale.
The carnival provides essential resources and support for young traders, with backing from Prince Faisal bin Mishaal bin Saud, the governor of Qassim.
Hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and overseen by the National Center for Palms and Dates, the carnival handles more than 1,000 vehicles of dates daily.
Saudi women play a crucial role in the carnival, contributing to marketing, supervision and support.
Khaled Al-Naqeedan, secretary-general of the carnival’s higher committee, noted that the event has created jobs in various sectors including supervisory teams, sales points, retail stores, farms, export yards, and support functions.
Qassim produces more than 390,000 tonnes of dates annually and plans to plant more than two million additional palm trees, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030’s goals to boost non-oil revenue.
The 51-day carnival, starting on Aug. 1, displays produce from over 11.2 million palm trees in Qassim and includes cultural, social, and entertainment programs beginning in September.
In 2023, sales at the carnival exceeded SR2.5 billion ($666 million), with the aim to boost economic activity, increase date exports, and provide opportunities for young entrepreneurs.
