Makkah: Saudi Arabia’s Baha region is expanding cultivation of economically viable crops, with bananas emerging as a key product suited to the climate of the Tihama lowlands.
Bananas are mainly grown in the Al-Makhwah, Qilwah and Al-Hajrah governorates, where warm weather, abundant water resources and fertile soil support high-quality production, ensuring a steady local supply and stronger market competitiveness.
Farming the fruit helps promote efficient land use due to its near year-round production cycle, stabilizing farmers’ incomes and diversifying the region’s agricultural base.
Authorities are supporting the sector through extension programs, as well as improved irrigation and fertilization practices, aiming to enhance productivity and crop quality.
The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has announced an investment opportunity for banana cultivation in Al-Hajrah governorate covering more than 530,000 sq. meters, with bids open until June 2 via its Furas platform. The scheme aims to boost production, strengthen food security and expand private sector participation.
Fahd Al-Zahrani, director general of the ministry’s branch in Baha, told Arab News that bananas are a promising crop in the region, with 88 hectares under cultivation and an estimated annual production of 1,350 tonnes.
The ministry has also proposed a project to establish a “banana city” in Al-Hajrah, spanning more than 500,000 sq. meters, aimed at expanding cultivation and increasing local production.
It is working to support farmers through extension programs, improving agricultural practices and enhancing production quality, increasing farmers’ yields and economic prosperity.
Saleh Al-Har, a farm owner in Al-Makhwah, said he operates three farms covering a combined 84,000 sq. meters. He added that local banana varieties are best suited to the region’s warm climate and require consistent irrigation, with sandy soil conditions supporting growth.
Banana cultivation reflects the broader agricultural diversity of Baha, supported by favorable environmental conditions and efforts to improve farming practices and productivity.
