The Council of Ministers extends the work of the “Saudi Rural” program until 2032

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Today, Tuesday, the Saudi Council of Ministers issued a decision to continue work on the sustainable agricultural rural development program “Rural Saudi Arabia” until the end of 2032.

Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Mansour bin Hilal Al-Mushaiti, said that the “Saudi Rural” program has enjoyed, since its launch in 2020, the support and care of the wise leadership, and the follow-up and interest of the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Abdul Rahman bin Abdul Mohsen Al-Fadhli. This enabled it to achieve its goals and expand its development impact in various regions of the Kingdom.

He explained that the continuation of work on the “Saudi Rural” program until the end of 2032 AD represents a new stage for maximizing the impact of sustainable agricultural rural development, and building on the achievements achieved in empowering small farmers, developing rural sectors, and raising the economic value of local products in various regions of the Kingdom, according to what was reported by the Saudi News Agency (SPA).

Al-Mushaiti stated that more than 90,000 beneficiaries, including 65,000 women, benefited from the opportunities provided through the program and its projects, and 92,000 income opportunities, while its contribution amounted to about 2.4 billion dollars (9 billion riyals) to the domestic product, in addition to the management and implementation of 106 development projects in the targeted sectors. Its impact was reflected in improving the income of small farmers, raising productivity, enhancing food security, developing rural communities, and sustaining resources.

He pointed out that the program’s achievements gained an international presence, culminating in the “Rural Saudi” program receiving the Global Technical Appreciation Award from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), as it is the largest agricultural development program in the world. In recognition of his practices and initiatives in enhancing food security and developing agricultural food systems, in addition to his presence in a number of international forums and exhibitions; Which contributed to highlighting the Saudi experience in rural development, introducing national agricultural products and enhancing their international presence.

Al-Mushaiti stated that the next stage will focus on expanding the scope of the successes achieved, strengthening value chains, and maximizing the benefit of the comparative advantages of the Kingdom’s regions and transforming them into sustainable productive and economic opportunities, in a way that raises the competitiveness of rural products, enhances their contribution to the national economy, supports the sustainability of rural communities, and contributes to achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.