Azka Farmer’s Market returns with a monthly celebration of Saudi produce

At Azka Farmer’s Market visitors can explore locally grown produce and other specialty items sourced from farms and producers from across the Kingdom. (Supplied)
At Azka Farmer’s Market visitors can explore locally grown produce and other specialty items sourced from farms and producers from across the Kingdom. (Supplied)
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Updated 12 April 2025
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Azka Farmer’s Market returns with a monthly celebration of Saudi produce

Azka Farmer’s Market returns with a monthly celebration of Saudi produce
  • As Saudi Arabia, we can reach ethical foods and self-sufficiency, says initiative founder

JEDDAH: Starting this month, the two-day Azka Farmer’s Market will take place every month at Hayy Jameel.

The market is not just a shopping destination for fresh produce, but also a platform for cultivating awareness around healthy food choices, sustainability and Saudi Arabia’s rich agricultural heritage.

Visitors can explore the best of locally grown seasonal fruits, vegetables and grains, as well as bread and other specialty items sourced from farms and producers from across the Kingdom.




At Azka Farmer’s Market visitors can explore locally grown produce and other specialty items sourced from farms and producers from across the Kingdom. (Supplied)

Organized as part of Art Jameel’s community programming under the Hayy Markets initiative, the market creates an ideal atmosphere for families and food lovers. It also features a chef’s corner, Azka’s specialty coffee pop-up, free public programming and engaging activities for children at Hayy Explorers, including drawing stations and reading areas.

Zaki Kamel, Azka Foods founder, told Arab News: “We are trying to reach an ethical food system and self-sufficiency based on the ethics of food production, which I understood from the Qur’an over the last eight years of contemplation.”

He said that organisers were working with more than 74 food vendors from around the Kingdom in categories ranging from honey and dairy to vegetables, fruits and meat.




At Azka Farmer’s Market visitors can explore locally grown produce and other specialty items sourced from farms and producers from across the Kingdom. (Supplied)

“As Saudi Arabia, we can reach ethical foods and self-sufficiency. This monthly farmer’s market at Hayy Jameel is a step toward that. It offers an alternative to the modern supermarket model of sourcing food, where the consumer is directly connected with the producer and farmer,” he said.

“We can hopefully export this philosophy of ethics to the rest of the world.”

Each month, 16 booths from producers and farms across the region will be featured.




At Azka Farmer’s Market visitors can explore locally grown produce and other specialty items sourced from farms and producers from across the Kingdom. (Supplied)

“For the farmers who cannot have a booth, we have the ‘Azka Selection’ section where we take the responsibility of selling their produce for them,” Kamel said.

One of the core elements of the Azka Farmer’s Market is interaction and education. Visitors can meet producers face-to-face, ask questions during Q&A sessions, and attend panel discussions with key figures in the local agricultural community.

On April 11, the first day of the market’s new season, a panel hosted Jassim Almughrabi, the first organic honey producer in Saudi Arabia and owner of Mugribi Apiaries Est.

He shared insights into the differences between organic and conventional beekeeping, drawing from his expertise as a former honeybee specialist at the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture.

“We discussed which honey is better organic or regular — and explored the lives of bees that stay in one place all year versus those moved seasonally,” Almughrabi said.

“Many people attended, asked questions, and left with new knowledge. They were very happy about the material, and I hope we meet again for another discussion in the future.”

Panel discussions were also held the following day with producers from Baha, who cultivate ancient strains of wheat and grains, and food historians from Lebanon and Canada, who explored Saudi Arabia’s culinary history and its global connections.

Nagwat Al-Nanaa Farms, an award-winning organic farm based in Madinah, is among the local food producers at the market.

Fahad Al-Raddadi, CEO of the farm, said: “Our farm was proudly recognized as the best farm in Madinah in 2021 and 2022, a reflection of our commitment to quality and sustainability.

After five years in the market, Nagwat Al-Nanaa earned its organic production certification with the support of Azka Foods.

“Ahmad Kamel played a crucial role in guiding us through the certification process, helping us formalize and validate the organic practices we had already embraced. The farmers market always proves to be a major success and opened the door to a broader network within the local agricultural community,” he said.

“Our journey has also taken us beyond Saudi borders. We were honored to be one of 22 companies selected to represent Saudi Arabia internationally, participating in events across Italy, the UK, Australia, Japan, and more in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and the Culinary Arts Commission.”

Alongside the stalls and panels, the Hayy Cinema screens related films such as “Flow” and “Thank You For Banking With Us,” weaving culture and conversation into the market experience.

The next Azka Farmer's Market event will be held on May 9 and 10.

 


Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs attends Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural mass

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir heads Saudi delegation at inauguration ceremony of Pope Leo XIV.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir heads Saudi delegation at inauguration ceremony of Pope Leo XIV.
Updated 18 May 2025
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Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs attends Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural mass

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir heads Saudi delegation at inauguration ceremony of Pope Leo XIV.
  • The pope began his inauguration mass on Sunday, marking the official start of his papacy
  • He arrived in St Peter’s Square in the white Popemobile, waving to the crowds

RIYADH: Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Climate Affairs Envoy Adel Al-Jubeir headed Saudi Arabia’s delegation participating in the inauguration ceremony of Pope Leo XIV, Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

The pope began his inauguration mass on Sunday, marking the official start of his papacy. He arrived in St Peter’s Square in the white Popemobile, waving to the crowds.

The Kingdom’s ambassador to Italy Prince Faisal bin Sattam bin Abdulaziz also attended the mass.


Plan smarter to ‘unlock future prosperity,’ Saudi housing minister says

Plan smarter to ‘unlock future prosperity,’ Saudi housing minister says
Updated 18 May 2025
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Plan smarter to ‘unlock future prosperity,’ Saudi housing minister says

Plan smarter to ‘unlock future prosperity,’ Saudi housing minister says
  • Project management leaders gather in Riyadh to discuss best practices in alignment with Vision 2030
  • More than 133,000 entities in the Kingdom working on range of construction projects

RIYADH: Project management is “one of the most important drivers of national trust,” Saudi Minister of Municipalities and Housing Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail told a conference in Riyadh on Sunday.

Saudi Vision 2030 was created to paint a prosperous future that will reinvent the economic, social, and developmental reality of the Kingdom, Al-Hogail added.

Project management plays a pivotal role at the governmental level by improving the execution and quality control of numerous projects, in full alignment with national goals and targets, he said.

The fourth Global Project Management Forum, with Arab News as a media partner, began its first day of discussions with more than 120 speakers.

The event brings together experts for workshops and dialogue on the best practices in the industry, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s rapid development under Vision 2030.

“Today, we are witnessing accelerating changes and rising challenges … at the heart of (the solutions) is project management to reshape our spaces, meet the needs of the people, and enhance overall sustainability,” said Al-Hogail.

“At the housing and municipality sector, we design projects to meet the dreams of households.”

According to the minister, more than 133,000 entities in the Kingdom are working on a wide range of construction projects.

“This kind of momentum cannot be achieved without project management, which starts with the people and their focus on the conscious planning, flexibility in execution, and ability to adapt to new changes.”

Project management has become smarter, he said, with a strong ability to predict and plan sustainably, and with the potential to help build a strong nation with a diversified economy.

The two-day forum will feature 50 strategic and technical sessions, and include more than 40 exhibitors. A total of 60 agreements will be signed to develop partnerships between entities.


Saudi deputy minister receives Russia, Ukraine envoys

Saudi deputy minister receives Russia, Ukraine envoys
Updated 18 May 2025
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Saudi deputy minister receives Russia, Ukraine envoys

Saudi deputy minister receives Russia, Ukraine envoys

Saudi Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Rassi received Ambassador of Russia to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov in Riyadh on Sunday.

In a separate meeting, Al-Rassi received Ambassador of Ukraine to the Kingdom Anatolii Petrenko, the Foreign Ministry wrote in a post on X.

During the meetings, all sides discussed bilateral relations as well as prominent developments in regional and international arenas.


Riyadh event highlights the role of Saudi museums in the age of social change

Riyadh event highlights the role of Saudi museums in the age of social change
Updated 18 May 2025
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Riyadh event highlights the role of Saudi museums in the age of social change

Riyadh event highlights the role of Saudi museums in the age of social change
  • Cultural objectives of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 in focus at three-day event

RIYADH: In recognition of International Museum Day, the National Museum of Riyadh hosted, a cultural event under the theme: “The future of museums in rapidly changing societies.”

The event, organized by the Saudi Ministry of Culture’s Museums Commission, ran from May 15 to 17 and highlighted the role of museums in social change, innovation and youth engagement.

The program included workshops, debates, performances and interactive activities, all aligned with the cultural goals of Vision 2030.

A special session took place with Princess Haifa bint Mansour bin Bandar, president of the Saudi National Committee of the International Council of Museums.

During this open discussion, Princess Haifa emphasized the importance of considering the specific situation of museums depending on their location and level of development. While some institutions demonstrate real dynamism, others are struggling to keep up.

“The efforts to modernize and renovate certain museums are clear. However, other museums face challenges in trying to catch up,” she said.

She stressed the need to revise the legislative framework and encourage private investment to support growth in the sector:

“Our museum system is currently being reviewed, and legislation is needed that encourages investment. Supporting the creation of museums in smaller buildings helps to facilitate funding.”

Regarding the frequent criticisms of so-called “traditional” museums, she offered a more nuanced view.

“There are traditional museums that are changing and remain popular, which proves they still serve the public. Sometimes, traditional museums fail to attract the public, even more so than innovative museums.”

She also referred to the significant transformations underway in the Kingdom, supported by a government body dedicated to the museum sector.

“We are in the midst of a radical transformation with a body entirely dedicated to museums, that supports positive change and offers opportunities for progress.”

As the longstanding head of the Saudi ICOM committee, Princess Haifa reminded the audience that Saudi Arabia is actively involved in international dialogue and decision-making:

“This year, we participated in the revision of a code of ethics established in previous years to recognize what constitutes a museum. We are currently translating certain museological references into Arabic.”

Human resources were another key focus of her speech. She identified several obstacles, especially language barriers and the lack of specialized training.

“The first challenge is the language factor. Frankly, we must acknowledge these issues, particularly the importance of the English language,

“We absolutely need specialized schools, partnerships with universities, training opportunities in our field, and specializations such as museum management and exhibition security.”

Despite the challenges, she expressed optimism, welcoming ongoing partnerships with Saudi universities — particularly in the Eastern Province — and the creation of new professional qualifications.

“This is a diploma that is about to become a master’s degree. Museums are not merely storage spaces; they were designed to be places of restoration and rehabilitation. Today, they have become vital centers offering programs for all segments of society.”

In the context of cultural and social transformation, the ongoing reflection on the role of museums in Saudi society reflects a clear ambition: to transform museums into vibrant, inclusive and forward-looking institutions.

Reporting to the Ministry of Culture, the Saudi Museums Commission is a public body whose mission is to develop, modernize, and supervise museums throughout the Kingdom, whether public or private.

It supports the creation of new museums, promotes heritage, encourages innovation — particularly in the digital space — and fosters cultural education.


Weqaa runs experiments to improve Hajj health measures

National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases perform experiments at holy sites near Makkah
National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases perform experiments at holy sites near Makkah
Updated 18 May 2025
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Weqaa runs experiments to improve Hajj health measures

National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases perform experiments at holy sites near Makkah
  • The first experiment focused on the detection of desert locusts in Muzdalifah
  • The second experiment focused on studying the possibility of an outbreak of an animal epidemic during the sacrifice of livestock in Hajj

RIYADH: The National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases, Weqaa, performed two experiments at holy sites near Makkah before the start of Hajj season this year.

The first experiment focused on the detection of desert locusts in Muzdalifah, where a group of experts conducted surveillance, control and evaluation of locust populations.

The second experiment focused on studying the possibility of an outbreak of an animal epidemic during the sacrifice of livestock in Hajj.

This involved a team from Weqaa, in collaboration with other agencies, activating an emergency response plan and carrying out investigations and containment measures.

Ghalib Al-Saedi, director of Weqaa in the Makkah region, said that the experiments were carried out to enhance field readiness, improve response efficiency and assess interagency coordination, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Hajj draws millions of pilgrims to Makkah every year, increasing health risks and requiring high-quality public health services to prevent disease outbreaks, manage emergencies and ensure the safety of pilgrims.

The experiments were conducted in partnership with organizations in the Makkah region, including the Makkah branch of the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, the Ministry of Health, and the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites.