Baha’s first pomegranate festival opened

The Minister of Interior Prince Ahmad bin Abdulaziz launched the city of Baha’s first pomegranate festival last Thursday. After a day trip by land, he arrived in the city of Baha on a short visit and was scheduled to meet members of the region’s community and to be the Guest of Honor at the awarding ceremony of the Baha Prize for Creativity and Excellence.
The minister, accompanied by Baha Gov. Prince Mshari bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, was received at the festival’s location in Alqara governorate with folk dances and other performances by members of the public.
The minister toured the three-day festival and watched exhibitions of pomegranate products and the machineries used in its production.
Pomegranate is produced in Baha in abundance. It is cultivated on vast areas of its Sarat lands and the trees are planted at nearly every village in the region, although the quality of their fruit differs according to the quality of the land’s soil.
With pomegranate products thronging markets, the region’s governorate sought to organize the selling of the fruit through the festival where 50 producers are gathered in one place. Competition at the festival gives customers more options in terms of price.
In addition to exhibitions of the region’s agricultural products, the festival offers lectures for farmers, family homemade products and prizes for outstanding farmers.
Pomegranate fruit produced in Wadi Baida and neighboring areas is one of the most famous and best for its sweet taste and large size. One of the farmers there, Ghurmallah bin Muhammad Al-Zahrani, says the Wadi’s moderate climate, abundant supply of water and good soil are the factors that made the summer fruit flourish at its areas and at the entire Baha region.
Pomegranate can be grown in different climates including arid regions as it is highly heat tolerant. However, the type of soil is the most important factor in the yield’s quality. Calcareous, alkaline soils and deeply acidic loam are the best for growing pomegranate.