Weqaa Center launches “The Healthier Choice” campaign to promote safer farming

Riyadh — The National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases, known as the Weqaa Center, announced on Tuesday the launch of its "The Healthier Choice" campaign. The initiative aims to promote integrated plant pest management and enhance agricultural practices, emphasizing that healthy food begins with healthy plants.

Dr. Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Khuraiji, the head of the Plant Health Sector at the Weqaa Center, explained: "The campaign seeks to establish integrated plant pest management as a sustainable approach that supports food security and safeguards human health and the environment. Pest management does not solely rely on chemical control; it starts with visual inspection, trap-based monitoring, and accurate pest identification to determine the most suitable intervention."

The campaign targets farmers, agricultural workers, partners, and stakeholders through digital and press content, educational materials, and field activities. It is designed to make integrated plant pest management more accessible and practical. As part of its plant health efforts, the Weqaa Center covers 80 percent of agricultural areas in the Kingdom.

Twenty priority plant pests have been identified to guide monitoring and control activities. These initiatives aim to strengthen crop protection, agricultural production, product quality, market confidence, and consumer trust.