Khayrat AlUla Agricultural Season Launches to Boost Local Produce

The Royal Commission for AlUla has launched the Khayrat AlUla agricultural season, a new initiative designed to strengthen the governorate's agricultural sector, improve production efficiency and create new economic opportunities for local farmers.

The programme forms part of wider efforts to build a more sustainable agricultural ecosystem through digital governance, stronger value chains and the promotion of locally grown produce. As part of the initiative, more than 4.2 million palm trees have been surveyed and registered, with over 1.5 million already enrolled in a smart QR code tracking system intended to improve quality control, traceability and export readiness.

AlUla is home to more than 20,500 hectares of cultivated land, producing approximately 130,000 tonnes of dates and 14,000 tonnes of citrus fruits each year from more than 400,000 citrus trees. The commission aims to increase the sector's annual output to SAR 1.8 billion by 2035, while raising date sales to SAR 1.507 billion, including SAR 1.226 billion in exports.

The commission also provides advisory, technical and veterinary services to more than 7,100 farmers, alongside training programmes designed to improve farming practices, raise product quality and increase the number of farms certified under the Saudi Dates Mark.

Alongside agricultural development, the initiative includes sustainability measures such as converting agricultural waste into more than 334,000 cubic metres of organic compost, introducing modern irrigation systems and reducing water consumption by 47% by 2035. The seasonal programme will also feature markets and events bringing together farmers, entrepreneurs, local businesses and visitors, linking AlUla's agricultural heritage with its growing position as a cultural and tourism destination.