Al-Baha Mountains Bloom with Almond Trees, Signaling Season of Beauty and Bounty

Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia: The picturesque landscape of the Al-Baha region is currently adorned with the arrival of a remarkable seasonal phenomenon as white flowers emerge among its lush green mountains. The local community eagerly associates these blooming flowers with the enchanting first flowering season of almond trees that grace the foothills of the Al-Baha mountains. This annual spectacle in late winter sees the almond trees cloaked in a blanket of white.

Almond trees are renowned for their adaptability to various climatic conditions and their ability to thrive with minimal water consumption. These resilient trees rely on nature's own irrigation, benefiting from the abundance of rain that characterizes the end of the winter season. Furthermore, extensive agricultural research has confirmed the almond tree's remarkable resilience to drought.

Each almond tree yields approximately 5 to 6 kilograms of almonds per season. The prices of almond bags fluctuate throughout the season, peaking at the beginning, decreasing in the middle, and rising again towards the end. As the almonds progress, they undergo a transformation, transitioning from their initial flowering stage to form nuts. Eventually, they take on their final woody and light brown appearance. Dried almonds with the peel can fetch prices ranging from 70 to 100 riyals.

Saleh bin Saeed Aoun, a local farmer, explained that the cultivation of almond trees begins in the early stages of spring, known as the flowering season among almond farmers. During this time, farmers gradually reduce watering efforts during the winter months. Visitors to these farms are treated to the beauty of flourishing blossoms, as almond trees come alive with white petals. Over the course of six months, the colors of the trees slowly change, transitioning from white to green and ultimately fading to gray.

Eng. Saeed bin Misfer Al-Madani, the Director of the Department of Agriculture in Al-Baha Region, emphasized the widespread cultivation of almond trees in the Sarawat Mountains and various governorates such as Baljurashi, Al-Mandaq, Bani Hassan, and the surrounding villages. This alternative crop flourishes in the region's mountainous areas and is often cultivated in agricultural terraces. The cultivation area spans an estimated 67 hectares with an average yield of one ton of green almonds per 3.6 hectares.

The Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture's Al-Baha branch has actively encouraged increased almond tree cultivation. They have introduced investment opportunities such as Almond City, encompassing an area exceeding one and a half million square meters. Additionally, they have conducted workshops, enhanced farmers' knowledge, and implemented support programs like the Reef Program and Organic Farming Program to foster the sustainable development and prosperity of almond trees.