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RIYADH: Madinah’s Taibah University organized an awareness event titled “Transform Your Farm into a Tourist Destination” at Al-Manshiyah Farmers Market in AlUla.

The event, part of the ongoing AlUla Dates Festival, aims to support farmers, promote date palm cultivation, and develop date-related industries.

It seeks to promote agritourism and encourage investment in farms as attractive destinations for visitors, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

This approach helps diversify farmers’ income and enhance the tourist experience in AlUla, known for its natural, historical, and cultural attractions.

The AlUla Dates Festival, which concludes on Nov. 15, highlights the date palm’s role as a symbol of the region’s agricultural identity.

It reflects a balance between traditional farming and modern, sustainable practices, offering a platform to support local producers and showcase their products, the SPA reported.

As one of the Kingdom’s largest date-producing regions, AlUla’s agricultural sector, under the Royal Commission for AlUla, includes more than 15,000 hectares of palm farms.

These farms host more than 4.1 million palm trees, producing 170,000 tons of various date types annually, according to the report.

The date production season runs from Aug. 15 to Oct. 30, marked by significant economic activity. Barni dates, the region’s most famous variety, account for 80 percent of the annual harvest.

During the 2023 dates season, the auction generated more than SR12.8 million ($3.4 million) in sales, along with SR400,000 from the accompanying market, attracting more than 15,000 visitors.

In the 2024 season, sales reached about 1.7 million kg, with total revenues exceeding SR8.8 million, the SPA reported.

Sales are expected to rise further in the 2025 season, to be announced at the end of the ongoing activities.

In recent years, AlUla’s agricultural sector has seen strong growth, including training more than 2,500 beneficiaries — among them 95 farmers and 250 students — accrediting 250 farms under the Saudi Dates Program, and treating more than 120,000 palm trees through fertilization and pest control.

The opening of local markets such as Al-Manshiyah has also connected visitors and consumers directly with farmers, boosting regional and international marketing of agricultural products, the SPA reported.

The market contributes to advancing agricultural value chains by hosting interactive sessions with renowned chefs who celebrate AlUla’s agricultural heritage and explore innovative ways to use dates in new products and dishes.