Reef Saudi Empowers Shepherds and Boosts Livestock Sector

The Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program (Reef Saudi) is expanding its support for small-scale livestock farmers across the Kingdom, pairing investment in rural capabilities with modernization of the livestock sector to raise productivity, create economic opportunities, and reinforce national food security, according to an official update released through the Saudi Press Agency.

Ghassan Bakri, secretary-general of Reef Saudi, underscored the importance of supporting shepherds and, by extension, the communities that depend on them. The program’s approach combines improved livestock practices and wider market access with an explicit commitment to preserving traditional herding knowledge, while also exploring how the sector can thrive in the Kingdom’s arid regions through careful use of natural resources and value-added products derived from goat and camel milk.

Context and Background

Livestock farming has long been a foundation of rural life in Saudi Arabia, providing income, nutrition, and cultural continuity for generations of herding families. Yet small-scale producers often face structural challenges: limited access to veterinary care, uncertain feed supplies, thin market linkages, and limited data on the performance of local breeds.

Reef Saudi, a national program supervised within the framework of the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, was designed to address those gaps directly. It focuses on the Kingdom’s small-scale agricultural producers, treating livestock development not simply as an agricultural question but as a question of rural livelihoods, community resilience, and the long-term security of the national food supply.

Key Details

To deliver on its objectives, Reef Saudi has implemented a comprehensive strategy that includes establishing a genetic database for local breeds, conducting research to improve livestock health and productivity, providing veterinary services, and promoting the adoption of modern farming technologies. The program also facilitates the formation of cooperatives, helps establish efficient marketing channels, and enforces strict animal health standards.

Progress in 2023 was substantial. The program introduced innovative farming techniques, partnered with the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture to improve breeding practices, and identified alternative feed sources such as cactus. It also developed new products from agricultural waste, conducted feasibility studies for dairy processing, and trained farmers in essential practical skills, including wool shearing and milk handling.

Beyond training and research, Reef Saudi has established model farms in various regions and implemented a livestock registration system. Together, these measures give herders access to demonstrated best practice, reliable animal traceability, and better documentation for market participation.

Implications and Impact

The implications extend well beyond individual farms. Higher productivity and better animal health translate into steadier local supplies of meat and dairy products, which supports national food security and reduces reliance on imports. Value-added processing of goat and camel milk, meanwhile, opens routes to higher-value products and longer shelf life, allowing herders to capture more of the final retail price.

For rural communities, the program’s cooperative model and market linkages create employment in processing, transport, and marketing, while training programs build skills that keep younger generations connected to agricultural livelihoods. For international observers, the initiative illustrates how Saudi Arabia is modernizing a traditional sector through data, research, and structured support rather than abandoning it.

Vision 2030 Alignment

Reef Saudi’s work sits squarely within the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks a diversified economy, a secure and sustainable food supply, and an improved quality of life for all citizens. By strengthening the livestock sector, the program broadens the Kingdom’s non-oil economic base, empowers rural households, and preserves heritage practices as part of a modern national identity. As the program continues to expand veterinary services, research, model farms, and marketing channels, it reinforces Saudi Arabia’s role as a forward-looking agricultural economy committed to the well-being of its rural communities.

20 Questions

Q1. What is Reef Saudi?

A1. The Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program, known as Reef Saudi, is a national initiative that supports small-scale farmers and herders across the Kingdom, aiming to raise productivity, incomes, and food security while modernizing rural agriculture.

Q2. Who is the secretary-general of Reef Saudi?

A2. Ghassan Bakri serves as the program’s secretary-general. He has highlighted the importance of supporting shepherds and their communities, noting that better livestock practices and wider market access can raise rural incomes and preserve traditional herding knowledge.

Q3. Why does Reef Saudi focus on shepherds?

A3. Shepherds form the backbone of rural livelihoods in many Saudi regions. By investing in their capabilities, improving animal health, and expanding market access, the program helps raise household incomes and sustain communities that depend on livestock.

Q4. What are the main goals of the program?

A4. Reef Saudi aims to boost livestock productivity, create economic opportunities, strengthen national food security, modernize farming practices, and preserve traditional herding knowledge, ensuring rural communities benefit from the Kingdom’s broader economic transformation.

Q5. How does Reef Saudi improve livestock health?

A5. The program provides veterinary services, conducts research to improve animal health and productivity, promotes strict animal health standards, and encourages adoption of modern farming technologies that reduce disease risk and improve herd performance.

Q6. What is the purpose of the genetic database?

A6. Reef Saudi is establishing a genetic database of local livestock breeds. It supports breeding programs, helps preserve indigenous genetic traits, and gives researchers and farmers reliable information to improve productivity and resilience across Kingdom herds.

Q7. What role do cooperatives play?

A7. Cooperatives help small-scale herders pool resources, share knowledge, and negotiate better prices. Reef Saudi facilitates their formation and links them to efficient marketing channels, allowing farmers to reach buyers more reliably and capture more value.

Q8. What alternative feed sources were identified?

A8. The program identified alternative feed sources, including cactus, to reduce pressure on conventional feed and water resources. These options support herds in arid regions and help farmers manage costs while maintaining animal nutrition and productivity.

Q9. What did Reef Saudi achieve in 2023?

A9. In 2023 the program introduced innovative farming techniques, partnered with the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture to improve breeding, identified alternative feed sources such as cactus, developed products from agricultural waste, and trained farmers.

Q10. How does the program support dairy production?

A10. Reef Saudi conducted feasibility studies for dairy processing and is exploring value-added products from goat and camel milk. This work helps herders move beyond raw milk sales toward processed goods with higher market value and longer shelf life.

Q11. What are model farms?

A11. Model farms established in various regions demonstrate best practices in animal husbandry, feeding, breeding, and health management. They serve as practical training sites where herders can observe modern techniques adapted to local conditions and climates.

Q12. What is the livestock registration system?

A12. The livestock registration system records animals and herds, creating reliable data for planning, veterinary follow-up, and traceability. It supports animal health standards, improves market confidence, and gives authorities accurate information for developing the sector.

Q13. Which ministry partners with Reef Saudi?

A13. Reef Saudi works with the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, the ministry responsible for the Kingdom’s agricultural, water, and environmental policies, on initiatives such as improving breeding practices and strengthening the livestock sector.

Q14. How does the program help arid regions?

A14. Reef Saudi is exploring ways to develop livestock in arid regions by harnessing natural resources, promoting drought-tolerant feed such as cactus, and creating value-added products, helping herders maintain viable livelihoods where water and grazing are limited.

Q15. What skills are farmers trained in?

A15. Training covers essential practical skills including wool shearing, milk handling, animal health management, and modern farming techniques. These capabilities raise product quality, reduce losses, and improve the prices herders can obtain for their goods.

Q16. How does this support food security?

A16. By raising domestic livestock productivity and improving animal health, the program increases the local supply of meat and dairy products. This reduces reliance on imports and strengthens the Kingdom’s ability to feed a growing population reliably.

Q17. What is the economic impact for rural families?

A17. Improved practices, better market access, and value-added products can raise herders’ incomes and create jobs in processing, transport, and marketing. This supports rural economic diversification and encourages young people to remain in agricultural livelihoods.

Q18. Does the program preserve traditional knowledge?

A18. Yes. Reef Saudi explicitly aims to preserve traditional herding knowledge while modernizing practices. By combining generations of local expertise with scientific research and technology, the program keeps cultural heritage alive while improving productivity and rural quality of life.

Q19. How does Reef Saudi align with Vision 2030?

A19. The program supports Vision 2030 goals of economic diversification, food security, and improved quality of life. Strengthening rural agriculture broadens the non-oil economy, creates employment, and helps communities share in the Kingdom’s national transformation.

Q20. What comes next for the livestock sector?

A20. Reef Saudi plans to continue expanding veterinary services, research, cooperatives, model farms, and market linkages. Ongoing work on arid-region farming and dairy processing aims to build a more resilient, productive, and competitive Saudi livestock sector.

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