Taif: The renowned Taif rose, celebrated for its exquisite fragrance, stands as a significant agricultural and cultural treasure of the Kingdom, embodying a symbol of national agricultural identity whose sweet scent permeates the nation. The annual harvest season, commencing in early March and lasting approximately 45 days, attracts numerous rose enthusiasts and perfume artisans from Saudi Arabia and abroad.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture affirmed in a press release its commitment to supporting the cultivation and processing industry of Taif roses. This support is channeled through the Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program (Saudi Reef) and funding from the Agricultural Development Fund, aiming to enhance agricultural sustainability and bolster the national economy. Over 400 farms engaged in rose cultivation and related industries benefit from this program, generating substantial job and marketing opportunities for rural communities. This empowers residents to develop their production skills, diversify their income sources, and stimulate both agricultural and tourism activity, establishing a vital economic resource for the Kingdom.
The ministry highlighted that Saudi Reef has facilitated numerous developmental projects within the rose cultivation and processing sector, unlocking significant investment potential. These initiatives include perfume extraction facilities, smart field schools leveraging artificial intelligence, and tissue culture laboratories focused on enhancing production quality. These advancements contribute to strengthening food security and achieving the national target of approximately two billion roses annually by 2026.
Taif Governorate, situated in Makkah Region, serves as the primary hub for rose cultivation, hosting over 910 farms across the highlands of Al-Hada and Al-Shafa Mountains, Wadi Muharram, Al-Talhat, Wadi Al-A'mq, Wadi Al-Bani, Bilad Tuwairiq, and Al-Mukhada. These farms encompass an area exceeding 193 hectares, yielding over 960 million roses annually, totaling more than 2,437 tons, and spreading their distinctive fragrance throughout the Kingdom.
The ministry also emphasized its dedication to preserving natural resources and supporting the Taif rose processing industry, which produces a diverse range of derivatives including aromatic oils, rose water, and cosmetics and body care products. These products enjoy widespread popularity in the markets, blending cultural heritage with promising investment prospects. The ministry further noted that national processing industries contribute significantly to the development of the national economy, aligning with the objectives of Vision 2030.