Saudi Arabia Launches Weqaa Campaign to Raise Awareness of Integrated Plant Pest Management

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, September 3rd, 2026, FinanceWire

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, September 03, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Saudi Arabia's Weqaa Center, the National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases, has launched a nationwide awareness campaign to promote the adoption of integrated plant pest management practices as part of the Kingdom's efforts to support sustainable agriculture, improve pest management, and curb the indiscriminate use of pesticides.

The campaign, titled "The Healthier Choice," aims to make integrated pest management (IPM) easier to understand for farmers and agricultural workers while promoting an approach in which pest control decisions begin with regular crop monitoring, accurate diagnosis of the problem, and an assessment of infestation levels before the most appropriate action is selected.

"The Healthier Choice campaign seeks to turn integrated plant pest management from a technical concept into a clear and practical process on the farm, beginning with monitoring and diagnosis, followed by prevention and the selection of the appropriate intervention," said Eng. Aymen bin Saad Al Ghamdi, President and CEO of Weqaa Center. 

"This helps farmers make more informed and precise decisions while supporting the sustainability of agricultural production," he added. "The campaign also reflects the Kingdom's direction towards strengthening plant health and promoting the responsible use of agricultural inputs, in line with international efforts to support food security, sustainable agriculture, and the protection of natural resources."

IPM is an approach that combines appropriate preventive, agricultural, biological, physical, and chemical methods, supported by continuous monitoring and assessment, with the aim of growing healthy crops while reducing risks to people and the environment.

According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), IPM involves considering all available pest control techniques and combining appropriate measures to limit the development of pest populations, reduce pesticide use and the risks associated with it, and support sustainable pest management.

The objectives of "The Healthier Choice" are also aligned with international efforts in plant health and sustainable agriculture, including the International Plant Protection Convention's Strategic Framework for 2020–2030, which links stronger plant health capacity with food security, agricultural productivity, safe trade, and progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Integrated pest management practices are particularly relevant to Sustainable Development Goal 2, which focuses on ending hunger, improving food security, and promoting sustainable agriculture, and Sustainable Development Goal 12, which addresses sustainable consumption and production, including the sound management of chemicals and natural resources.

Weqaa Center said the campaign is not intended to prevent the use of pesticides, but rather to promote more responsible decisions about when and how they are used. Such decisions should be based on actual need, the type of pest, the condition of the crop, and the level of infestation, while complying with the pesticide's approved label and instructions for use and safety.

The campaign includes digital and educational awareness materials, as well as workshops, activities, and field days targeting farmers, agricultural workers, extension specialists, partners, and other stakeholders across the agricultural sector.

The initiative comes as Saudi Arabia continues to develop its agricultural sector and strengthen its ability to support food security as part of the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, including the sustainable use of resources, greater production efficiency, and the development of more resilient agricultural and food systems.

According to data from the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, the Kingdom's total production of agricultural and food commodities exceeded 16 million tonnes in 2024, while the agricultural sector contributed about USD 31.5 billion to gross domestic product.

Efforts to protect plant health are also gaining importance globally. FAO estimates that plant pests and diseases cause losses of up to 40 percent of global crop production each year, with associated economic losses exceeding USD 220 billion annually.

Weqaa Center said raising awareness of integrated pest management forms part of broader efforts to strengthen Saudi Arabia's plant health system and support farmers in making decisions based on monitoring and technical knowledge, helping protect crops and sustain agricultural production.

About Weqaa Center

The National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plants Pests and Animal Diseases, “Weqaa,” is an administratively and financially independent center operating under a board of directors chaired by His Excellency the Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture. The Center is dedicated to protecting plant and animal wealth from pests and diseases, ensuring the safety of plant and animal production, and safeguarding public health from the risks of zoonotic diseases, in order to enhance food security and support sustainable agricultural development in the Kingdom. For more information, visit weqaa.gov.sa/en.

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Weqaa Center

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SOURCE: Weqaa Center

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