Weqaa Launches Nationwide Plant Pest Awareness Drive

Saudi Arabia's National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases (Weqaa Center) launched a nationwide awareness campaign on 3 September 2026 focused on integrated plant pest management (IPM). Carried out under the slogan "The Healthier Choice" (تراها أصح), the campaign targets farmers, agricultural workers, extension specialists, and other stakeholders across the Kingdom.

The campaign encourages a more responsible approach to pesticide use rather than banning pesticides. It presents pest management as a step-by-step process: regular crop monitoring, accurate diagnosis of pest problems, assessment of infestation levels, and selecting the most suitable intervention — chemical or non-chemical — based on that assessment.

Weqaa Center, based in Riyadh, is administratively and financially independent and linked to a board chaired by the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture. In 2022, responsibilities for palm pest prevention and control and other plant pests were transferred to the Center, making it the technical and executive authority for field-level prevention and control.

Why it matters

The initiative aims to strengthen food security, protect biodiversity, and support agricultural sustainability. Activities include digital awareness materials, educational content, workshops, training, field days, and forums on plant health — including sustainable management of crops such as palm trees and dates.

The Center runs a dedicated digital platform offering electronic services for plant and animal health, allowing individuals and businesses to submit and track service requests online. It also provides a priority plant pest detection and diagnosis service. The Weqaa platform is separate from other government portals such as أبشر, مقيم, قوى, ناجز, نفاذ, and توكلنا.

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