RIYADH: A campaign to combat the Red Palm Weevil was kicked off by Fahd Bin Abdul Rahman Balghunaim, Minister of Agriculture Saturday. The launch ceremony took place at Muhammad Bin Ghaith farm and was attended by the Governor of Al-Diriya Governorate. Muhammad Bin Abdullah Al-Shiha, the ministry's Undersecretary for Agriculture Affairs, said the Red Palm Weevil has been one of the most serious threats to palm trees and other trees in some of the Kingdom's regions for 20 years. The ministry has endorsed a program to fight the Red Palm Weevil in all regions, based on a strategy for the early discovery and treatment of infected trees and disposing of severely infected ones properly to avoid spreading the infection to other trees, he said. The strategy also includes imposing fines on those who do not deal properly with such infected trees. The plan is also to raise awareness among farmers. He stressed in a speech at the launch ceremony that it was important for the authorities and farmers to work together on the problem. This “expresses communication and solidarity” for the sake of “the blessed palm tree”. Shiha said the palm tree's value and significance has been mentioned in the Qur'an and our Prophet, peace be upon him, taught us to take care of it. “It is one of the pillars of our national economy and food security. Making it an emblem of our country is a manifestation of its value to us.”
