BAHA: In the heart of Saudi Arabia's Baha region, a humble cactus is sparking an agricultural revolution. The pear, locally known as Al-Barshumi, has blossomed from a niche crop into a growing industry.
Once confined to private farms, cultivation of cracker pears has stimulated scientific research and yielded a variety of food, medicinal and cosmetic products.
The fruit's triumph is evident in the vibrant tapestry of green, yellow and red hues that now adorn Baha's mountains, terraces, valleys and plains – a spectacle enhanced by the region's regular rains.
Fahd Al-Zahrani, Director General of the Baha Department of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, spoke of the government's commitment to this agricultural renaissance.
“We have established a dedicated production line and oil press that benefits all regional farmers,” he said.
He also hinted at plans for a more extensive production line and the creation of an integrated flock town, developed in collaboration with the region's Prickly Pear Association.
The initiative's architect, Faeq Al-Ghamdi, recounted its humble beginnings. He said what began as 80 tangled plants on a single farm had blossomed into a network of 26 cooperative farms, which together produced 40-70 tonnes annually.
By 2021, the farms had more than 400 plants of premium varieties, including “Gimoncaryo” and “Marez.” This growth has enabled diversification beyond simple fruit production, with the range of innovative products including prickly pear juice, ice cream and soap.
Al-Ghamdi's original farm now has 3,000 plants, including imported varieties, with an annual yield of 3-5 tons.
“In just four years, we have developed 20 products, with some already registered and others in various stages of registration and research,” he said, adding that more innovations, including a perfume extract, were on the way.
The project, known as the Al-Sarah Al-Barshumi Initiative, has also spawned seven scientific studies aimed at the sustainable development of the tabby plant.
Al-Ghamdi's vision extends beyond cultivation towards establishing Baha as a regional leader in tab pear production, achieving domestic self-sufficiency and tapping into export markets. The project works to double the current area dedicated to cultivation, to establish model agricultural towns, create a specialized processing industry and market 30 union pear products.
“The growing process starts with what we call pads or stalks,” he said. “These parts are carefully separated from the mother plant and we then expose these cuttings to sunlight for a period of seven to 10 days due to the high liquid content of the pads, allowing them to dry and prepare for planting. Once settled, we select carefully the planting formation.”
Beyond its economic impact, the chickpea boom promises significant health benefits, according to Dr. Nadia Al-Zahrani, a nutrition specialist at Al-Baha University.
“Prickly pears come in a spectrum of colors, ranging from green to red, with the red variety being particularly the sweetest,” she said.
She noted their rich content of fiber, vitamins E, C and K and various minerals: “These components contribute to weight control and regulation of blood sugar and lipid levels.”
Al-Zahrani said another use of the prickly pear fruit was in skin care.
“The rich vitamin and mineral content of the cactus plays a vital role in improving the appearance and health of the skin,” she said.
A number of farmers in the region grow pears, taking advantage of the area's unique environmental assets, utilizing the region's fertile soil and abundant water resources.
They have adopted modern farming techniques and started introducing new varieties of fruits and trees, many of which were previously unknown in the region.
