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The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture’s Najran branch reported that more than 4,400 greenhouses across the region have generated over 37,000 tons of crops, led by tomatoes and cucumbers along with bell peppers, zucchini, eggplant, okra, strawberries, figs and leafy vegetables. Farmers in the area follow sound practices in irrigation, fertilization and regular monitoring to maintain output, according to the branch. These protected cultivation units allow producers to meet local demand while aligning with national efforts to strengthen domestic food supplies. The director general of the ministry’s Najran branch, Mureeh bin Sharea Al-Shahrani, described greenhouses as important modern solutions that provide an ideal production environment. Al-Shahrani added that the ministry supplies technical guidance and encourages wider adoption of the technology among farmers. The statement from the Najran branch on August 4 underlined how such systems contribute to improved crop quality and resource efficiency in the southwestern region.
Greenhouse operations in Najran control temperature, humidity, ventilation and lighting while deploying modern irrigation that reduces water consumption and limits waste, the ministry branch stated. Such features shield plants from pests, dust and wind, enabling consistent production throughout the year rather than reliance on seasonal cycles. The approach has helped expand agricultural activity in an area that benefits from varied terrain and a temperate climate suited to diverse planting, according to earlier assessments by the same ministry office. Ministry statistics placed national greenhouse production at 613,600 tons in 2021, equivalent to roughly 6 percent of total agricultural output that year. Subsequent expansion plans aimed to lift capacity by an additional 430,000 tons between 2023 and 2025, pushing the annual total above one million tons.
A Mordor Intelligence assessment of the Saudi indoor farming market projected growth from $190.1 million in 2026 to $301.7 million by 2031, expanding at a compound annual rate of 9.7 percent. The consultancy linked the rise to water scarcity challenges, with agriculture consuming nearly 88 percent of the kingdom’s freshwater resources amid renewable availability below 100 cubic meters per person. Greenhouse formats, including glass and poly structures, accounted for more than 71 percent of that market segment in 2025 because they support large-scale production of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and strawberries under controlled conditions. Separate ministry data for 2024 showed national greenhouse vegetable output exceeding 797,000 tons, up 10.6 percent from the prior year, with tomatoes contributing 329,000 tons and cucumbers more than 232,000 tons. These national trends provide context for Najran’s contribution through its network of protected units.
Najran’s agricultural sector has long emphasized sustainability, with the ministry regional office delivering workshops, marketing assistance and advice on organic methods that avoid chemical inputs, an Arab News report from December 2024 noted. Local farmers have expanded cultivation of specialty items such as coffee varieties and strawberries under similar guidance from Al-Shahrani’s team, which promotes preservation of indigenous plants alongside commercial crops. The director general’s office has coordinated programs that improve post-harvest handling and connect producers to broader supply chains. Such support aligns with the kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives to raise local food self-sufficiency and reduce import dependence. Najran’s output from greenhouses forms one element of these wider initiatives.
The ministry branch indicated that Najran’s environmental conditions, including suitable temperatures and terrain diversity, have facilitated adoption of protected agriculture that bolsters both sustainability and the local economy. By conserving water and protecting yields, the greenhouses help stabilize supply for key vegetables that feature prominently in domestic consumption. Al-Shahrani’s statement reaffirmed the branch’s commitment to scaling technical assistance so more farmers can transition to these systems. National yearbooks from the ministry have tracked steady increases in greenhouse area and productivity over the past decade. Continued investment in the sector is expected to reinforce Saudi Arabia’s position in controlled-environment horticulture across the Gulf.
