Najran to refine citrus production

The Najran region is responsible for one-quarter of Saudi Arabia’s citrus production. It produces oranges, tangerines, lemons and mangos as well as avocados, lychee fruit and others.
In the winter, the region’s markets witness increased activity to market the harvest and export it to all regions in the country.
The farms that produce only citrus in Najran cover a total area of more than 5,000 hectares.
Ali Al-Julail, director of the Center for the Research and Development of Horticulture in Najran, said the center has been working on educating farmers about how best to build a foundation and manage farms that specialize in winter farming, including Najran’s citrus production.
These methods are the result of constant experimentation in terms of selecting the type of crops to be cultivated based on the type of soil and water in each area of the region, he said.
The center also trains farmers to cultivate citrus, in particular. It aims to develop the citrus sector and the production of certain tropical fruits.
The goal is to provide as much as possible of the country’s fruit requirements by using studies and research that determine the types of crops appropriate for the country’s climate and soil, he said. Al-Julail added the center frequently visits and provide services, solutions and recommendations to farmers. The center has collected 120 agricultural assets – such seeds – gathered from around the world, he said.