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

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, September 3, 2026 (EZ Newswire) — Saudi Arabia’s National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases, Weqaa, 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 efficiency, and reduce the unnecessary use of pesticides.

The campaign, titled “The Healthier Choice” focuses on simplifying the concept of integrated plant pest management for farmers and agricultural workers and linking pest control decisions to a process that begins with regular crop monitoring, accurate diagnosis of the problem, and assessment of the level of infestation before selecting the most appropriate action.

Weqaa said the campaign seeks to turn integrated plant pest management from a technical concept into a clear and practical process on the farm, based on monitoring, diagnosis, prevention, and selecting the appropriate intervention, helping farmers make more accurate decisions when dealing with pests.

The Center added that the campaign reflects the Kingdom’s direction towards strengthening plant health and promoting the responsible use of agricultural inputs, in line with international efforts supporting food security, sustainable agriculture, and the protection of natural resources.

Integrated plant pest management is defined as an approach that combines appropriate preventive, agricultural, biological, physical, and chemical methods, based on continuous monitoring and assessment, with the aim of growing healthy crops while reducing risks to people and the environment.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), integrated plant pest management is based on examining available pest control methods and combining them appropriately to help manage pest populations, reduce pesticide use and the risks associated with it, and promote sustainable pest management.

The objectives of “The Healthier Choice” campaign are aligned with international approaches to plant health and sustainable agriculture, including the International Plant Protection Convention Strategic Framework for 2020-2030, which links stronger plant health capacities with supporting food security, agricultural productivity, safe trade, and progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

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

Weqaa said the campaign focuses on ensuring that decisions to use pesticides are made responsibly and based on actual need, the type of pest, the condition of the crop, and the level of infestation, while complying with the approved pesticide 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, agricultural extension specialists, partners, and relevant stakeholders in 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 related to resource sustainability, improving production efficiency, and developing more resilient agricultural and food systems.

According to data from the 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 $31.5 billion to gross domestic product.

Efforts to protect plant health are gaining increasing importance globally, with FAO estimates indicating that plant pests and diseases cause losses of up to 40% of global crop production each year, while associated economic losses exceed $220 billion.

The Center said raising awareness of integrated plant pest management is part of broader efforts to strengthen the Kingdom’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.

Media Contact

Weqaa Center
prmedia@weqaa.gov.sa

SOURCE: Weqaa Center