Taif’s rose farms are growing into a global production center for fragrances

RIYADH: Taif’s mountainous and famous rose farms have become a major fragrance manufacturing center, producing more than 550 million flowers annually and powering an economic engine worth millions.

About 910 rose farms cover an area of ​​270 hectares and care for about 1.14 million shrubs in areas such as Al-Hada, Al-Shifa, Wadi Muharram, Al-Wahat and Al-Wahit, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

From March to April, a kaleidoscope of petals unfurls across terraced fields, supplying over 70 factories and laboratories dedicated to extracting and producing more than 80 sought-after derivatives that enjoy widespread popularity in the SR64 million domestic market ( $17 million).

The fragrant crops have elevated the mountainous governorate to a global rose capital, even setting a Guinness World Record with a basket of 84,450 roses.

“These roses represent the heritage and competitive advantage of our region,” said Majid Al-Khalif, Director General of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture Department in Makkah Region, underscoring the ministry’s commitment to to showcase agricultural skills of each region through festivals and celebrations. events.

“These initiatives not only promote local products, but also promote knowledge exchange between farmers.”

Al-Khalif recognizes the crucial role played by joint efforts with local authorities in ensuring the success of these events, especially the Rose Festival, which attracts significant tourist interest.

Visitors are treated to a first-hand experience of the rose distillation process, seminars, workshops and other activities tailored to Taif rose enthusiasts.

Hani bin Abdulrahman Al-Qadi, Director of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture Office in Taif Region, sheds light on the significance of the Rose Festival, in which more than 60 farms and the families running them participate. their products during five days of festivities.

Al-Qadi said the Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program, also known as Reef, was an important initiative aimed at strengthening the rose farming sector. The program focuses on increasing the productivity of vital agricultural crops, with the aim of a balanced rural development strategy. It also aims to diversify agricultural production in rural areas while ensuring optimal and sustainable use of natural agricultural and water resources.

A special unit for Taif roses has been established within the ministry’s office in Taif. In addition, the adoption of tissue culture propagation for seedlings and the establishment of a cooperative association to promote Taif rose cultivation are part of Reef’s objectives.

The ministry is actively involved in guiding and educating rose farmers on modern techniques to increase their productivity, Al-Qadi explained. Last year, a select group of rose farmers were sent to Bulgaria as part of a joint collaboration between Saudi Arabia and Bulgaria.

This initiative, organized by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, aimed to facilitate knowledge exchange, improve farmers’ skills and promote development in rose cultivation, distillation and various applications in medicine and cosmetics.

The ministry’s office in Taif is actively involved in providing crucial support services to local farmers, aimed at increasing their productivity in rose cultivation. These services include agricultural guidance, agricultural terrace restoration initiatives and rainwater harvesting programs specifically tailored to Taif’s rose growers.

Farmers receive expert guidance in applying best agricultural practices, with dedicated pest control teams responding quickly to requests for pesticide spraying to protect crops from potential threats.

The ministry is also leading the construction of essential water infrastructure, including tanks and barriers, while facilitating the construction of irrigation networks to boost agricultural activities.

The Ministry emphasizes the importance of sustainable practices and encourages small-scale rose farmers to embrace and implement best agricultural practices, providing them with valuable insights into harnessing advanced technologies and optimizing rose production techniques, including essential oil extraction as part of a approach to value chain development. .