The National Research and Development Center for Sustainable Agriculture (Estidamah) in Riyadh has successfully localized the cultivation and production of asparagus within greenhouses, marking a new era for Saudi Arabia's agricultural sector. This development is aimed at bolstering the country's food security and meeting the increasing local demand for asparagus, a vegetable known for its nutritional benefits.
Estidamah's work has made it possible to produce asparagus throughout the year by utilizing greenhouse technology, a significant departure from the traditional seasonal, open-field cultivation methods. The center has also explored the possibility of integrating asparagus cultivation with fruit trees in intercropping systems, thereby enhancing land use efficiency.
Given asparagus's nutritional value and its tolerance to salt, Estidamah has focused on its cultivation in Saudi Arabia. Early results indicate a potential yield of around 700 grams per square meter annually. This initiative is expected to decrease the country's dependence on imported asparagus, which currently stands at approximately 340,000 tons annually, and support the tourism and hospitality industries. This aligns with the National Agriculture Strategy's goals to improve sustainability and food security in Saudi Arabia.
Source: Saudi Press Agency