Jazan mountains are moving toward a more diversified and sustainable economy following a developmental journey spanning nearly half a century. This transition begins with the Council of Ministers’ decision to abolish the Authority for the Development and Reconstruction of Mountainous Areas in the Jazan Region.
SPA reported that the tasks of the abolished authority have been transferred to the Strategic Office for the Development of the Jazan Region and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture. This shift aims to integrate environmental and agricultural expertise with developmental planning and investment in economic and tourism assets.
The process started in 1396 AH with the establishment of the Faifa Area Development and Reconstruction Authority to address the specific needs of the mountainous terrain. In 1429 AH, a royal order renamed the entity to the Authority for the Development and Reconstruction of Mountainous Areas in the Jazan Region, expanding its scope to include Faifa, Al-Dayir, Al-Reeth, Harub, Al-Ardah, and Al-Aidabi.
The authority focused on agricultural research, specifically Saudi coffee, by proposing the Kingdom’s membership in the International Coffee Organization and registering promising coffee strains with the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property. Efforts included distributing over one million coffee seedlings and providing sandalwood seedlings to farmers, utilizing plant tissue culture techniques to produce disease-free crops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which entities will take over the tasks of the abolished Jazan mountainous development authority? The tasks of the Authority for the Development and Reconstruction of Mountainous Areas in the Jazan Region have been transferred to the Strategic Office for the Development of the Jazan Region and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture. This transition is intended to combine agricultural and environmental expertise with investment and developmental planning for the region’s economic and tourism potential.
How did the scope of the development authority change between 1396 AH and 1429 AH? The journey began in 1396 AH with the creation of the Faifa Area Development and Reconstruction Authority. By 1429 AH, a royal order changed its name to the Authority for the Development and Reconstruction of Mountainous Areas in the Jazan Region, expanding its responsibilities beyond Faifa to include Al-Dayir, Al-Reeth, Harub, Al-Ardah, and Al-Aidabi.
What were the specific agricultural achievements related to Saudi coffee in Jazan? The authority distributed more than one million coffee seedlings and suggested that the Kingdom join the International Coffee Organization. Additionally, it worked on discovering promising Saudi coffee strains, registering them with the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property, and using plant tissue culture techniques to produce plants free from viruses and diseases.