Al-Baha plans to double its production of its famous Shadawi coffee beans, a move that would create jobs and income for the region, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Al-Baha is home to more than 200 farms that have over 22,000 trees growing beans of the highest quality, SPA reported.
There is room for growth, with an overall area of 1.6 million square meters available that has the capacity for 300,000 trees.
Fahd bin Muftah Al-Zahrani, director of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in the region, said: “Coffee production will increase by 100 percent. It will also create 1,000 new jobs. It will have a business, training, and exhibition center, making the region a distinct agricultural tourism destination.”
Al-Zahrani said the mountainous terrain requires careful cultivation to allow the trees to flourish.
The ministry has started providing farmers with access to water sources, and tanks for storage with the capacity ranging from 60 to 240 tons.
Farmers have also been supported with modern irrigation equipment and seedlings. This initiative has so far benefitted 122 farmers.
In addition, the ministry is providing financial support for small farmers through its Rural Program, which will help them produce, manufacture and market the coffee beans.
