Tabuk, October 23, 2023, Olive cultivation in the Tabuk region has a storied history, beginning on Jabal al-Lawz in the north and eventually spreading to encompass the entire region. Today, Tabuk boasts an impressive count of over 1.3 million olive trees, yielding more than 65,000 tons of olives annually and 8,450 tons of olive oil.
Some of the farmers from Jabal al-Lawz shared their experiences in olive cultivation and the challenges they've faced, particularly concerning water scarcity and the absence of modern irrigation methods. Nasser Al-Atawi, a dedicated farmer with over 35 years of experience in olive tree cultivation and oil production, recalls the hardships faced by the farming community due to these issues.
However, he notes the significant improvements brought about by the Saudi government's attention to agriculture and farmers. Thanks to this support, farmers have been able to enhance their product's abundance and quality while optimizing water use. Al-Atawi's farm now boasts a diverse array of over 13,000 olive trees, alongside figs, almonds, lemons, oranges, and grapes.
Gharman bin Ali Al-Omari, who owns an olive press in the Tabuk region, explained that farmers flock to the presses during this season to extract oil from their olives. He added that the yield, typically ranging between 10 to 20 kg of olive oil from every 100 kg of olives, varies based on multiple factors, including the tree types and soil conditions. The thriving olive industry in Tabuk stands as a testament to the resilience and dedication of its farmers, as well as the support of government initiatives.
