Cultivating strawberries and other berries in the Qassim region has proved to be a success story that demonstrates the local farmers' ambition to innovate and cultivate new varieties of fruit.
Driven by a desire to reduce reliance on imports, farmers have successfully cultivated these crops, achieving competitive quality and production levels.
Agricultural Eng. Saleh Ibrahim Al-Kaid told a SPA reporter that cultivating these delicate fruits required "significant research and development", including collaboration with international specialists.
"We conducted extensive research to identify the ideal growing conditions, including soil composition, nutrient supplementation, and environmental control in greenhouses," he added.
To ensure safe and high-quality production, farmers have adopted clean agricultural practices, including the use of hydroponics, which utilize vertical towers filled with volcanic rock, he added.
"Hydroponics allows us to cultivate significantly more plants per unit area compared to traditional land-based methods. For example, a 360-square-meter greenhouse can accommodate approximately 9,000 seedlings using hydroponics, compared to only 2,500-3,000 in traditional soil-based cultivation," Al-Kaid said.
Furthermore, the use of hydroponics simplifies plant care and reduces the need for fertilizers and pesticides.
By employing organic farming practices, farmers ensure the safety and quality of their produce.
The success of strawberry and cranberry cultivation in Qassim demonstrates the region's capacity for agricultural innovation, and its potential to contribute to local food security.
Source: Saudi Press Agency