On Wednesday, the branch of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in Qassim region launched the 'Palm Harvesting' initiative for the 2026 season, with the support and blessing of His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Faisal bin Mishal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, Emir of Qassim region.

The branch explained that the initiative is part of efforts to localize the profession of palm harvesting, empower the region's residents to work in it, while preserving the agricultural heritage related to palms and dates and enhancing its sustainability for future generations.

The ministry branch indicated that the initiative aims to qualify and train the region's youth to work in the palm sector, enhance their participation in related professions, contributing to the localization of the profession, raising the efficiency of field work, serving farmers, and preserving the quality of the date crop. It also provides seasonal job opportunities in date harvesting, marketing, and selling, to support youth empowerment and open new horizons for them in entrepreneurship and income development.

Engineer Salman bin Jarallah Al-Suwayan, Director General of the branch of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in Qassim region, added that the initiative to localize the palm harvesting profession, since its launch in 2021, has contributed to qualifying national cadres and enabling Saudi youth to practice the profession, which enhances its sustainability, preserves the agricultural heritage, and supports the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 in localizing professions and raising the efficiency of national cadres.

Support and follow-up of the region's Emir

Al-Suwayan praised the support and attention of His Highness the Emir of Qassim region for the initiative and his continuous follow-up, affirming that this contributed to its success and achieving its objectives.