The method of sustainable use of water helps Saudi rose cultivation to blossom into a global industry
JEDDAH: The Saudi pink rose is loved throughout the Arabian Peninsula for its unique cultivation, vivid color, captivating fragrance and many luxury products derived from its petals, which constitute a multi-million dollar industry.
Two types of pink roses are grown in the Kingdom — the Madinah rose, which is pink in color and is an annual that thrives in hot and cool climates, and the Taif rose, also known as Jory. or Damascus, which only wants. in the spring.
Taif produces more than 550 million flowers per harvest, which lasts 45 to 60 days. The rose breeding season starts in late March or early April.
Spread over 270 hectares, 910 rose farms nurture around 1.14 million bushes in areas such as Al-Hada, Al-Shifa, Wadi Muharram, Al-Wahat and Al-Wahit, according to the statement. the Saudi Press Agency.
The products made from these flowers are very popular, with a domestic market value of SR64 million ($17 million).
Considered a symbol of the region's natural beauty, the Taif rose is known for its delightful and sweet fragrance, bright pink color and delicate petals. These roses are grown at high altitudes, so they thrive in cool temperatures and fertile soil.
Every spring, roses bloom in Taif, turning large pockets of the Kingdom's desert into fragrant pink. (AFP Photo)
More than 60 farms and the families that run them participate in the region's annual Rose Festival, usually in April and May, where they display their products during five days of celebration.
These fragrant plants have elevated the mountainous governorate to the rose capital of the world, which won a place in the Guinness World Records in 2022 for the largest basket of roses, with 84,450 flowers.
To develop the industry, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has launched several projects, including the rehabilitation of farms, the implementation of rainwater harvesting technology, and the sustainable development program of rural agriculture.
A Saudi woman takes a picture of a rose garden at Bin Salman Farm in Taif on March 13, 2021. (AFP Photo)
The ministry also supports specialized agricultural cooperatives, including the newly established rose and herb cooperatives. This support allows them to invest in service land, produce perfumes, and benefit from the Agricultural Fund.
“The ministry is working on several initiatives and plans to achieve global leadership in the Taif rose industry and increase its production to 2 billion roses by 2026,” said Saleh Bindakhil, spokesman for the Ministry. Environment, Water and Agriculture, by Arab News.
YOUKNOW?
• Taif produces more than 550 million flowers each harvest, which lasts 45-60 days.
• Covering 270 hectares, 910 farms in the west of the State nurture 1.14 million bushes.
• Rose oil production is worth SR64 million ($17 million).
A group of growers from the Department of Agricultural Guidance were recently sent to Bulgaria, the Philippines and Thailand to learn about the latest rose oil production technology and environmentally friendly farming practices.
Farmers receive expert guidance on best farming practices, with dedicated pest control teams responding quickly to pesticide spray requests to protect crops from potential hazards.
Tourists pose with Taif roses at Bin Salman Farm in Taif city on March 13, 2021. (AFP)
The ministry is also leading the construction of necessary water infrastructure, including tanks and dams, and is also facilitating the establishment of advisory networks to promote agricultural activities.
Emphasizing the importance of sustainable practices, the ministry encourages small-scale rose growers to adopt and implement best farming practices, giving them valuable insights into the use of advanced technology and best rose production techniques, including the extraction of essential oils as part of the value chain. development method.
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“The governorate of Taif has long been known as an excellent and original environment for the Taif shrub,” said Bindakhil.
“Many generations have cared for these roses, passing on the traditions of harvesting, cleaning and extracting rose oil and water. They enjoyed the history of these roses in the mild, cool and mountainous climate at the top of the famous Jabal Ghazwan.”
One use of rose water extracted from Taif roses is the annual washing of the Kaaba in Mecca—a ritual sponsored by the Saudi government.
Distillation, which takes 9 to 12 hours, is done using tightly closed copper stills. (AFP Photo)
The State has many factories and workshops dedicated to the extraction and production of more than 80 products from rose derivatives, producing aromatic products and body care products.
The rose industry plays an important role in regional development and the local economy, providing many jobs and trade, and encouraging more women to enter the workforce.
To extract the rose oil, thousands of sacks of roses are poured into 90-gallon copper stills, which are then tightly sealed for a 9- to 12-hour distillation process.
It takes 45,000 roses to produce the oil, which is then poured into a 12 milliliter bottle. (AFP Photo)
The oil-based product requires 45,000 roses, and is poured into a 12 milliliter bottle, which costs from $400, depending on the season.
Al-Kamal, founded in 1831, is the oldest company producing rose cosmetics and cleaning products in the Kingdom. Located in Al-Hada in Madinah, it is run by Khalid Al-Kamal, whose family has worked in the business for generations.
“It is a profession passed down from father to son — from generation to generation — and I am very proud to tell you that I am the seventh generation to inherit this legacy,” Al-Kamal told Arab News. the interview in 2021.
A view of the entrance to the Al-Kamal Rose Factory in Taif. (Shutterstock)
“Working in the field of rose cultivation requires a lot of delicacy, because the quality of the rose is affected by the soil, the climate and the cultivation method. I learned from my ancestors, and now my three sons run the company with several employees.”
With many new investments from the government in pipelines promoting the sustainable use of water resources, there is no doubt that the rose industry in Saudi Arabia will continue to grow in the years to come.
