Tabuk’s Tayma governorate launches agricultural festival

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Updated 14 August 2025
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Tabuk’s Tayma governorate launches agricultural festival

  • 4-day festival will feature participation from more than 30 farmers and exhibitors
  • Festival aims to highlight the governorate’s diverse agricultural output 

RIYADH: The third Agricultural Products Festival began on Wednesday at the Archaeological Wall Park in Tayma. 

Organized by the Tabuk regional branch of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, the four-day festival will feature participation from more than 30 farmers and exhibitors, alongside numerous government agencies, civil organizations and nonprofit groups.

The event serves as a cornerstone initiative supporting Tabuk’s agricultural sector while raising community awareness about the critical importance of local food production in achieving national food security goals.

Amjad bin Abdullah Thalab, director general of the ministry’s Tabuk branch, explained that the festival aimed to highlight the governorate’s diverse agricultural output, which spans multiple crop varieties, date palm production, animal feed, grains and vegetables.

“This gathering creates invaluable opportunities for farmers to share knowledge, exchange innovative practices, and enhance their agricultural expertise through structured learning sessions,” Thalab said.

The festival features more than 30 specialized pavilions designed to engage visitors of all ages.

Key attractions include the “Little Farmer” corner, which allows children to explore agricultural tools and farming basics through hands-on activities, while specialized sections focus on rural development services and cutting-edge sustainable farming methodologies.

Thalab also highlighted the support provided by Prince Fahd bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, governor of Tabuk province, and his deputy. 

He also recognized the guidance and follow-up efforts of Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadhli, minister of environment, water and agriculture, and his deputy, particularly their initiatives to expand marketing channels for local producers while addressing industry obstacles.
 


Absher Hackathon finalists highlight scale of Saudi tech talent

Updated 14 December 2025
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Absher Hackathon finalists highlight scale of Saudi tech talent

  • World’s largest hackathon underscores growing national enthusiasm for tech innovation

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s push to position itself as a global hub for digital innovation was on display this weekend as the Absher Tuwaiq Hackathon 2025 — billed as the world’s largest hackathon — concluded with the announcement of finalist teams competing for prizes totaling SR1 million ($266,000). 

The three-day hackathon, organized by the Ministry of Interior in partnership with Tuwaiq Academy, brought together innovators from across the Kingdom to develop digital solutions aligned with the ministry’s digital transformation goals. 

The finalist teams recognized for their projects were: Shadow, Wusool, Watheeq , Tanabbah, HRS, Ikhlaa, Amal, Mustabiq, Al‑Dahna, Inspire, Saqour Al‑Watan, Thaqib, Sawt Al‑Mustaqbal, Manee, and YS Advance International. 

The finalists were announced at the end of the three-day Absher Tuwaiq Hackathon organized by the Ministry of Interior in partnership with Tuwaiq Academy. (AN photo/Supplied)

In addition to cash prizes, the competition offered SR450,000 in support from the National Technology Development Program, along with incubation opportunities at Invi Lab to help teams turn prototypes into market-ready products.   

Tariq Al‑Hamid, official spokesperson for the Absher Conference, told Arab News that the hackathon has generated strong momentum nationwide.  

This year’s event included more than 4,000 participants from all regions of the Kingdom — “a reflection of the growing national enthusiasm for digital innovation,” he said. 

HIGHLIGHT

The Absher Tuwaiq Hackathon brought together innovators from across the Kingdom to develop digital solutions aligned with the ministry’s digital transformation goals. 

According to Al‑Hamid, the 2025 event was structured around four specialized tracks: digital identity and security applications; artificial intelligence for predictive and proactive security; Internet of Things applications supporting field operations; and innovations to enhance or expand services on the Absher Platform. 

Tariq Al-Hamid (center) said that the hackathon’s impact extends beyond prize money. (Supplied)

He added that this focused approach allowed participants “to present high‑quality ideas and advanced prototypes at levels comparable to international competitions.” 

Participants also took part in more than 80 training programs delivered by global partners including Google Cloud, Meta, NVIDIA, and Huawei, an experience Al-Hamid said significantly strengthened both the competition and participants’ skills. 

Al-Hamid said that the hackathon’s impact extends beyond prize money. “More important than the cash reward is the opportunity to turn creative ideas into real products that make an impact on citizens, residents, and visitors.” 

Standout participants often attract the attention of leading national technology companies seeking new talent, he added. 

Participation was open to individuals and teams from across Saudi Arabia, from high school students to industry professionals, highlighting the inclusivity of the event and the breadth of the Kingdom’s innovation ecosystem.  

The hackathon forms part of the wider Absher Tuwaiq initiative, a core pillar of the upcoming Absher Conference 2025, which will empower more than 100,000 participants across seven technical tracks in 16 cities, in partnership with 20 local and international organizations. 

The conference, organized by the Ministry of Interior and Tuwaiq Academy, sponsored by Elm Company and held in strategic partnership with the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, will take place in Riyadh from Dec. 17 -19. 

The event will showcase national digital innovations and reinforce Saudi Arabia’s role in global technology.