Al-Dhalea – SABA:
A high-level meeting was held today in Al-Dhalea Governorate to discuss mechanisms for implementing the national program to expand grain and legume cultivation. The meeting brought together Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources Dr. Radwan Al-Ruba’i, Acting Governor Abdul Latif Al-Shughadri, and senior military and local officials.
The discussions focused on supporting farmers in scaling up the production of grains and legumes as part of efforts to reduce imports, enhance food security, and move toward self-sufficiency—core goals of the revolutionary leadership, the Supreme Political Council, and the Government of Change and Development.
Minister Al-Ruba’i emphasized the need to intensify efforts to boost agricultural activity, promote sustainable farming policies, and locally produce essential agricultural inputs. He commended local agricultural authorities for their field surveys and noted the importance of training farmers in best practices to improve local input production and reduce reliance on imports.
He stressed replacing imported goods with local alternatives, especially in food processing, and called for organizing farmers into field schools to improve access to extension services and technical support.
Acting Governor Al-Shughadri highlighted a development shift in Al-Dhalea’s agricultural sector, particularly through the construction of dams and water barriers worth 500 million riyals, largely funded by community initiatives.
He also noted the establishment of four agricultural cooperatives in Damt, Juban, Al-Hashaa, and Qa’atabah districts, which are already active in land reclamation and agricultural development. Al-Shughadri encouraged continued collaboration on launching practical projects that align with national goals and serve community needs.
He urged cooperatives to make full use of wells and barriers, clean existing dams, and reclaim more farmland. He also called on the Agriculture Ministry and national agricultural committees to assist the governorate in formulating effective plans that will stimulate agricultural growth and mobilize farmers in support of grassroots initiatives.