BAHA: In the heart of Saudi Arabia's Baha region, a humble cactus is fueling an agricultural revolution. Prickly pear, known locally as Al Barshumi, has evolved from a niche crop to a booming industry.
Once limited to private farms, prickly pear cultivation has spurred scientific research and yielded a range of food, medicinal and cosmetic products.
The fruit's triumph is evident in the vibrant tapestry of greens, yellows and reds that now adorn Baja's mountains, terraces, valleys and plains – a spectacle enhanced by the region's regular rainfall.
Fahd Al-Zahrani, Director General of the Baha Branch of the Ministry of Environment, Water Resources and Agriculture, spoke about the government's commitment to this agricultural revival.
“We have created a special production line and oil press that benefits all regional farmers,” he said.
He also hinted at plans for a wider production line and the creation of an integrated prickly pear city, developed in partnership with the region's prickly pear association.
The architect of the initiative, Faiq Al-Ghamdi, spoke about its humble beginnings. He said what started with 80 tangled seedlings on one farm has grown into a network of 26 cooperative farms that together produce 40-70 tonnes annually.
By 2021, the farms had more than 400 seedlings of premium varieties, including Dzhimankaryo and Marez. This growth allowed diversification not only into fruit production, but also into a number of innovative products, including prickly pear juice, ice cream and soap.
Al Ghamdi's original farm now has 3,000 seedlings, including imported varieties, with an annual yield of 3-5 tons.
“In just four years, we have developed 20 products, some of which are already registered and others are in various stages of registration and research,” he said, adding that several more innovations are in the pipeline, including an aromatic extract.
The project, known as the Al-Sara Al-Barshumi Initiative, also spawned seven scientific studies aimed at the sustainable development of the prickly pear plant.
Al-Ghamdi's vision goes beyond cultivation towards establishing Baha as a regional leader in prickly pear production, achieving domestic self-sufficiency and entering export markets. The project envisages the doubling of the areas intended for cultivation, the creation of model agricultural cities, the creation of a specialized processing industry and the sale of 30 prickly pear products.
“The growing process starts with what we call pads or stems,” he said. “These parts are carefully separated from the mother plant and then we expose these cuttings to sunlight for seven to ten days due to the high liquid content of the pads, allowing them to dry out and prepare for planting. After the treatment, we carefully select the planting formation.”
Apart from the economic impact, the prickly pear boom promises significant health benefits, according to Dr. Nadia Al-Zahrani, a nutritionist at Al-Baha University.
“Prickly pears come in a variety of colors, from green to red, with the red variety being the sweetest,” she said.
Noting their high fiber content, vitamins E, C and K, as well as various minerals, she said, “These components help with weight management and regulation of blood sugar and lipid levels.”
Al-Zahrani said another use of prickly pear fruit is in skin care.
“The rich vitamin and mineral content of cactus plays a crucial role in improving the appearance and health of the skin,” she said.
A number of farmers in the region grow prickly pear, taking advantage of the unique conservation values of the area, taking advantage of the region's fertile soil and abundant water resources.
They adopted modern cultivation methods and began to breed new varieties of fruit and trees, many of which were previously unknown in the region.
