Jazan mountains shift focus from development to investment and sustainability

The mountains of Jazan are entering a new phase following the Cabinet’s decision to dissolve the Authority for the Development and Reconstruction of Mountainous Areas and transfer its responsibilities to the Strategic Office for the Development of Jazan Region and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture. This move responds to evolving development needs and opens broader avenues for investment in the region’s economic and tourism potential.

The journey of mountain development in Jazan began in 1976 with the establishment of the Authority for the Development and Reconstruction of the Fayfa Area, tailored to the unique needs of the mountains and their residents. In 2008, the authority’s mandate expanded to include several governorates such as Fayfa, Al-Daer, Al-Rayth, Harub, Al-Aridhah, and Al-Aydabi, further strengthening development across the entire mountainous sector.

Significant agricultural and economic contributions

The authority played a key role in advancing the agricultural sector, particularly by supporting Saudi coffee cultivation through the provision of seedlings, studying suitable varieties, and registering them with the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property. More than one million coffee and sandalwood seedlings were distributed, and plant tissue culture techniques were used to produce disease-free crops.

The coffee cultivation initiative is a prime example of transforming local crops into economic resources with integrated value chains, spanning agriculture, production, manufacturing, marketing, and agri-tourism. The authority also invested in aromatic and sandalwood trees, supported tourism and environmental studies, and highlighted the region’s natural and cultural assets.

A new era under Vision 2030

The importance of these assets is growing as agricultural terraces, highlands, misty landscapes, vegetation, and cultural heritage are integrated into a comprehensive economic and tourism system. This aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to diversify the economy, maximize the use of local resources, and empower regions to leverage their competitive advantages.

With the authority’s responsibilities now transferred to the Strategic Office and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, priorities include preserving accumulated expertise, developing coffee value chains, supporting specialized agriculture, promoting mountain tourism, empowering rural industries, strengthening small and medium enterprises, protecting natural resources, and improving quality of life in the region.

As a result, the Jazan mountains are moving from a phase of exploration and development to maximizing economic value, becoming a key partner in building the regional economy and enhancing sustainability.