Riyadh: Advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah today in Riyadh launched the 'Bathraa' (seed) initiative to empower small-scale rural producers outside the Kingdom, in the presence of Vice Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Eng. Mansour bin Hilal Al-Mushaiti.
According to Saudi Press Agency, in his speech at the event, Al Rabeeah emphasized the importance of the Bathraa initiative, which is founded on the belief that true development begins by empowering individuals to uplift themselves. He described it as a promise of sustainability and a testament to the power of small beginnings, symbolized by a seed yielding a great gift.
Al Rabeeah highlighted that KSrelief's approach to generosity is complete only when it leads to empowerment. The Bathraa initiative was established to transform suffering into opportunity, enabling communities to become self-reliant in overcoming disasters and rebuilding their lives. The initiative brings together expertise from Saudi national institutions, particularly the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, along with international, regional, and local partners in countries in need, creating a cohesive system that generates impactful results grounded in Saudi values.
He further stated that KSrelief is dedicated to turning this initiative into concrete actions by launching community farming projects, technical support programs, vocational training, and micro-rural financing. Additionally, innovative and sustainable marketing methods for local products will be introduced. Al Rabeeah urged KSrelief's partners, including donors, the private sector, civil society, and social responsibility leaders, to join this global initiative.
Al-Mushaiti praised KSrelief as a global humanitarian legacy and a unique Saudi hallmark, noting that the partnership with the center aims to connect action with impact, relief with development, and giving with empowerment to achieve sustainable growth and community prosperity.
He remarked that Saudi Arabia has emerged as a global model for sustainable development and humanitarian efforts, with its experience serving as an international reference. The success of this model is attributed to the leadership's support, confidence in national capabilities, and integration among government, private, and non-profit sectors.
The event concluded with the screening of a documentary film on the Bathraa initiative, highlighting its pivotal role in supporting small-scale rural producers, including farmers, livestock breeders, beekeepers, and fishermen, in crisis-affected regions worldwide. The film showcased how the initiative provides seeds, raw materials, training, and assistance in marketing products to generate income, fostering self-sufficiency and boosting local economies.