In an era marked by growing global concern over food security, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has introduced a distinctive and visionary approach to redefining the bond between people and the countryside through the Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program, known as "Reef Saudi."
Spearheaded by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, the program is designed to advance rural production sectors while fostering an integrated development ecosystem that ensures agricultural sustainability, and enhances both economic and social empowerment.
A Vision Anchored in Saudi Arabia’s 2030 Goals
Launched in 2019 as part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, Reef Saudi is one of the nation’s flagship initiatives to boost the contribution of the agricultural sector to GDP. The program provides both financial and technical support to farmers and small-scale producers, alongside hands-on training and capacity building.
It focuses on eight core sectors: Saudi coffee, beekeeping and honey production, fruit cultivation, floriculture and aromatic plants, rain-fed crops, livestock, aquaculture, and rural women empowerment programs. These pillars are structured to support long-term economic sustainability in rural communities.
Empowering Over 87,000 Beneficiaries Nationwide
Since its inception, Reef Saudi has positively impacted more than 87,000 beneficiaries across various regions of the Kingdom—including farmers, artisans, producers, beekeepers, fisherfolk, and rural women.
Its influence extends beyond direct financial assistance; it has fundamentally reshaped production models, diversified livelihoods, and connected rural communities to modern agricultural value chains.
From Traditional Farming to Smart, Sustainable Production
What sets Reef Saudi apart is its integration of advanced technologies into agricultural operations. The program actively supports the adoption of modern irrigation systems, solar energy solutions, and digital platforms for product marketing.
Custom training tracks—both locally and through international exchange—are developed to equip beneficiaries with global best practices, improve product quality, and raise operational efficiency and profitability.
Reef Saudi has also pioneered entrepreneurship in rural areas through the Reef Entrepreneurship Program, transforming traditional farmers into business innovators. As a result, products by rural beneficiaries have expanded beyond local markets to reach national and even international consumers.
Strategic Leadership with a Long-Term Developmental Vision
At the helm of the program is Ghassan bin Mohammed Bakri, secretary general of Reef Saudi, whose leadership has been instrumental in aligning institutional planning with grassroots development. His strategic approach blends the preservation of rural heritage with the deployment of cutting-edge technologies.
In recognition of his visionary leadership, Bukhari was honored as Arab Digital Government Personality of the Year 2024 at an awards ceremony held in Dubai—highlighting his role in shaping impactful, scalable initiatives that empower rural communities and foster agricultural resilience.
Expanding the Narrative: Media as a Tool for Impact
Reef Saudi’s presence is not limited to on-the-ground transformation—it has also crafted a strong digital and media identity. Through targeted communication campaigns and innovative outreach across traditional and social media platforms, the program has effectively reached remote communities, raised public awareness of rural opportunities, and shared compelling success stories of transformation in the Saudi countryside.
Global Recognition and Endorsement
The program has earned international acclaim, including recognition from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which described it as a leading global example of how agricultural development can be directly linked to improving quality of life.
FAO emphasized Reef Saudi’s holistic approach, rooted in sustainability and empowerment, as a model worthy of replication across other regions of the world.
A Local Program with Global Relevance
Reef Saudi is no longer just a national program—it has emerged as a globally recognized model that balances economic sustainability with human empowerment.
As its impact continues to grow, so too does its potential to serve as a strategic tool in addressing global food security, inspiring communities to build more resilient and innovative agricultural futures.
This pioneering initiative demonstrates how rural agriculture can be transformed into a platform for sustainable development—one that transcends geography and positions Saudi Arabia as a rising force in the global development dialogue.
