Micro industries

Supporting communities

By connecting people and ideas, we expand possibilities to spur diversification, drive sustainable economic growth and add meaningful jobs to the labor market in our communities and beyond.

We believe in the power of ideas to create opportunities. And we believe in the power of people to amplify those ideas to generate even more opportunities with greater impact.

By connecting people and ideas, we expand the possibilities to spur diversification, drive sustainable economic growth, add meaningful jobs to the labor market, and contribute to the health and well-being of our communities and the people who call them home.

Our initiative to seed micro industries in the Kingdom is designed to empower people to shape their own economic future by creating additional value from traditional crafts and natural resources. We have identified several micro industries that, with the right business model and support, are ripe for generating long-term impact for local communities.

We’re providing members of our communities with more than an additional source of income. We’re equipping them with the knowledge and skills to establish, manage, and develop sustainable businesses that will make a real difference in people’s lives.

Beekeeping in Al-Bahah

Chapter 1

The area of Al-Bahah, located in southwestern Saudi Arabia, has a long tradition of honey production, however employing the traditional methods in use by most beekeepers there has historically yielded low quantity and quality.

In collaboration with the Beekeepers Cooperative Association and Al-Majdouei Charity, we worked to introduce modern beekeeping methods to the region.

The area of Al-Bahah, located in southwestern Saudi Arabia, has a long tradition of honey production. In collaboration with the Beekeepers Cooperative Association and Al-Majdouei Charity, we worked to introduce modern beekeeping methods.

The original land was devoid of any vegetation, including seasonal plants. The area was prepared and irrigation put in place, ready to plant seedlings to support a larger population of bees.

The seedlings were grown in a nursery and gathered ready for transporting to the pre-prepared land, to be planted in their new environment outside.

Some of Saudi Arabia's leading specialists on bees worked on the project. Here one of the experts inspects the quality of the acacia plants, propagated in the greenhouse ready for planting out in the prepared fields.

Back in the ﬁeld, scientists monitor the progress of the various plant types, which included various types of acacia and lavender plants.

A bee pollinating a lavender ﬂower - all the hard work of planting, nurturing and monitoring began to pay off as the bee numbers flourished.

A local beekeeper pulling a frame. The traditional methods in use by most beekeepers in Baha has yielded low quantity and quality honey, so we worked to introduce modern beekeeping methods.

A local Beekeeper inspects a frame from hive. Through our training center, low-income beekeepers were able to successfully complete intensive training courses and receive a small apiary containing hives with bees, hive inspection tools, and course books.

Storage of honey samples from the many local beekeepers ready for quality analysis.

The honey is inspected for quality and purity.

Coffee in Jazan

Chapter 2

Together with the Aldayer Charitable Society, we are working to raise knowledge and improve standards for coffee production among more than 560 farmers in southwestern Saudi Arabia’s Jazan Mountains.

We provided tools and training in the latest coffee cultivation methods, planted new coffee trees, and secured an off-taker to elevate product standards and support the growth of the industry.

The unmistakable landscape of the mountains in Jazan, is the backdrop to our coffee plantation and production initiative, creating a micro industry of coﬀee growers.

A truck navigates the winding mountain roads, bringing a fresh batch of coﬀee seedlings ready to be planted on the terraces.

Workers prepare the land ready to receive the coﬀee plant seedlings.

A worker carries the new seedling, which is ready to plant into the prepared terraces.

Planting of the seedlings - the farmers received training on the latest coffee farming methods, including 'smart irrigation' systems to save water resources.

Planting coﬀee seedlings along the fertile terraces - the project identified some of the most impoverished coffee farmers, providing them with equipment and tools.

The project enabled local landowners to pursue growth opportunities in the Jazan coffee industry.

A local coﬀee grower inspects the quality of the freshly picked beans - the project helps to increase Jazan's share of the Saudi coffee market.

Fishermen in Yanbu

Chapter 3

Through collaboration with the Border Guard and Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and in partnership with Nesma Holding Co., the project aims to support 100 fishermen in Baysh and Yanbu'.

We are helping to boost the ability of the fishermen to support their families by enriching their knowledge, improving standards and providing them with new fishing boats and related equipment.

A ﬁshing port at twilight in Yanbu, oﬀ the western coast of Saudi Arabia, where our project takes place.

Cast off - the fishermen were provided with equipment and training.

Portrait of a local ﬁshermen from Yanbu - the project aims to support 120 in the area.

A ﬁshermen at the helm of one of the new boats provided by the initiative.

A local ﬁsherman lands a ﬁsh on board a ﬁshing boat sponsored by Saudi Aramco as part of our initiative.

The fish are prepared for sale in the local ﬁsh market.

The ﬁsherman holds his catch up to passing customers in the market.

Olive trees in Al-Jouf

Chapter 4

We have established nurseries for growing olive tree seedlings in the Al-Jouf area of northern Saudi Arabia to generate new income opportunities for families. We installed 10 nurseries, planted nearly 2 million olive tree seedlings, and provided training to 50 families.

The project seeks to provide opportunities to generate income by leveraging the quality of the Al-Jouf soil that encourages olive cultivation. In the past, the use of drip irrigation damaged seedlings, making them unfit for planting. A new 'mist irrigation' is being introduced to save water and extend the life of the seedlings. We are implementing this project in partnership with Al-Mustawdaa Charity.

Sewing in Dammam

Chapter 5

This project aims to prepare 100 hearing-impaired women for the labor market by training them to manufacture medical supplies.

This helps them to fully integrate into society and to generate income for their families. The project is being jointly implemented with Nesma Holdings Co., and Al-Rahma Medical Society.

Making a difference

People and community

Through a wide range of programs, we put our energy to work making a real difference in the ability of people to achieve a successful future for themselves, their families, and their local communities.

FIND OUT MORE

Featured Content

Featured Content

Featured Content

Featured Content

Featured Content

Micro industries

Supporting communities

Chapters