International Coffee Day, a Time to Show Appreciation for Shadwi Coffee

Shadwi coffee in Al-Baha region is one of the finest types of coffee in the world. It is produced in Al-Baha, and yields an annual production of more than 12 tons. On the occasion of the International Coffee Day, which falls on October 1 every year, lovers of the Shadwi coffee aroma are even prouder of it and show support for coffee farmers and producers. Shadwi coffee farmers farm it in the upper and lower Shada mountains, between the governorates of Qilwah and Al-Makhwah, a mountain range in the middle of a group of low plains and valleys. The upper Shada Mountain is nearly 2,200 meters above sea level, while the lower Shada Mountain reaches approximately 1,500 meters, making them propitious for farming coffee. Coffee is the foremost crop in Al-Baha region. Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, owner of a farm in upper Shada Mountain, said that coffee production is abundant thanks to the support provided by the government. He also said that prices per kilogram of coffee range between SAR200 and SAR300. Director General o f the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture branch in Al-Baha region Fahd Al-Zahrani said that the south of the Kingdom is well-known for growing Arabica coffee, especially in Al-Baha, where there are more than 200 farms with over 22,000 trees of the finest types of Saudi coffee. He highlighted the efforts of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture to sustain this agricultural product through various programs and projects, including through rehabilitating agricultural terraces, harvesting rainwater, creating modern irrigation networks, cleaning and deepening wells, and covering them, and distributing seedlings. So far, 13,500 coffee seedlings were distributed to 117 farmers. He also mentioned the first coffee-growing city in the Kingdom, built in Al-Baha region on a total area of 1,662,000 square meters, and having a capacity of up to 300,000 trees. The environment ministry provides non-refundable financial support through the Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program (Reef Sau di) to ensure sustainable rural development, improve the agricultural sector, raise the standard of living of small farmers, and increase production. The program targets eight agricultural sectors, including the one involved in the development, production and marketing of Saudi coffee. Source: Saudi Press Agency