Rainfed agriculture booms 1,100% under Saudi rural development initiative

The Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program, known as Saudi Reef, has announced exceptional growth in its rainfed crops sector. (File Photo)
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Updated 28 December 2025
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Rainfed agriculture booms 1,100% under Saudi rural development initiative

  • It is one of eight agricultural segments receiving program support

RIYADH: The Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program, known as Saudi Reef, has announced exceptional growth in its rainfed crops sector, one of eight agricultural segments receiving program support, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

The sector has registered extraordinary expansion, surpassing 1,100 percent, with participant numbers climbing to over 13,300 beneficiaries nationwide.

Program spokesman Majed Al-Buraikan identified rainfed agriculture as a cornerstone of Saudi Reef’s achievements, highlighting its role in boosting production efficiency, bolstering food security and self-reliance, enabling sustainable farming in water-scarce regions, and raising income levels and quality of life for smallholder farmers — all consistent with Vision 2030 priorities.

Al-Buraikan outlined the program’s principal aims, including broadening the agricultural production foundation, securing food independence across multiple crop categories, enhancing smallholder farmer prosperity and employment prospects to foster social cohesion, and safeguarding environmental and natural resources throughout rural Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Reef extends support and technical assistance across eight distinct sectors: honey production, fruit cultivation, coffee production, rose farming, rainfed crops, livestock raising, artisanal fishing, and value-added agricultural products.


Saudi King Salman receives message from Russian president

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Elkhereiji received the message from Russian Ambassador Sergey Kozlov. (SPA)
Updated 30 December 2025
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Saudi King Salman receives message from Russian president

  • The two officials reviewed strong relations between Saudi Arabia and Russia

RIYADH: King Salman received a written message from Russian President Vladmir Putin regarding ties between the two countries.

Russian Ambassador to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov delivered the message to Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Elkhereiji in Riyadh, the Foreign Ministry wrote in a post on X on Tuesday. 

The two officials reviewed strong relations between Saudi Arabia and Russia and discussed the latest regional and international developments, as well as the efforts made in this regard.