AL-JOUF: Gov. of Al-Jouf Province Prince Fahd ibn Badr opened the third Olive Festival on Sunday and announced another festival ºto be held in Doumat Al-Jandal.
“The olive festival has effectively contributed to the economic activities of the region,” he said following the inauguration ceremony.
The festival was held at Prince Abdul Ilah Civilization Center in Sakaka and its opening attended by government officials and businessmen from the Kingdom. The prince hoped the annual festival would capture the imagination of Saudi citizens in the future and added a special olive oasis was nearing completion thanks to the support of organizations including the governorate, the Credit Bank and the Industrial Development Fund. Member of the organizing committee Zakaria Al-Daraan said the idea to hold an annual olive festival was born three years ago and since then the festival has grown from strength to strength.
Undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Muhammad ibn Abdullah Al-Sheeha said the Kingdom had witnessed great development in agriculture during the past three decades, coupled with restructuring changes in line with the objectives of a five-year plan.
“Al-Jouf is one of the important agricultural areas which Allah has bestowed with fertile soil, abundant water and moderate climate, making it suitable for the cultivation of cereals and vegetables,” he said.
