Al-Shamasiyah has seen the launch of the 2026 date harvesting initiative, organized by the branch of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in the Qassim region. The program started with the participation of Al-Shamasiyah Governor Fahd Al-Radi and the local development association of the city, coinciding with the start of the Buraidah International Date Carnival.
According to SPA, the initiative aims to localize the date harvesting profession, empower regional youth, and preserve the agricultural heritage associated with palms and dates to strengthen sustainability.
The program provides educational and skill-based training, including theoretical lessons and field practical exercises. These activities are designed to provide participants with the necessary skills and experiences in palm harvesting and date picking.
Mohammed Al-Duraibi, deputy director general of support and empowerment at the ministry branch, stated that 90 youth from Al-Shamasiyah registered for the program, while total registrations across the Qassim region exceeded 270 youth. He noted that the timing with the Buraidah International Date Carnival allows youth to utilize the date season for field training and skill acquisition.
The initiative focuses on transferring date harvesting experiences to future generations and creating job opportunities during the harvest season to increase national workforce participation in the agricultural sector.