Advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah launched on Wednesday the “Bathraa” (seed) initiative to empower small-scale rural producers outside the Kingdom.
The event was held in Riyadh in the presence of Vice Environment, Water and Agriculture Minister Eng. Mansour bin Hilal Al-Mushaiti, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
“Today, we celebrate the launch of the Bathraa initiative, which stems from the firm belief that true development begins by empowering people to uplift themselves,” Al Rabeeah said. “It is a promise of sustainability and a testament to the idea that even the smallest seed can yield the greatest gift.”
He noted that KSrelief believes generosity is complete only when it transforms into empowerment.
“Bathraa was therefore created to turn suffering into opportunity, enabling targeted communities to rely on themselves to overcome disasters and rebuild their lives,” the advisor said.
He also noted that the initiative combines the expertise of Saudi national institutions, foremost among them the Environment, Water and Agriculture Ministry with international, regional, and local partners in humanitarian-need countries, forming a cohesive system that delivers deeply impactful results based on Saudi values.
Al Rabeeah stressed that KSrelief is committed to translating this initiative into tangible action by launching community farming projects, technical support programs, vocational training, and micro-rural financing, as well as introducing innovative and sustainable marketing methods for local products.
He also called on KSrelief’s partners — including donors, the private sector, civil society, and social responsibility pioneers — to join this global initiative.
For his part, Al-Mushaiti described KSrelief as a global humanitarian legacy and a distinct Saudi mark, stressing that the partnership with the center seeks to connect action with impact, relief with development, and giving with empowerment to achieve sustainable growth and community prosperity.
He added that Saudi Arabia has become a global model for sustainable development and humanitarian work, with its experience serving as an international reference.
The success of this model, he said, is driven by the leadership’s support, trust in national capabilities, and integration among government, private, and non-profit sectors.
The event concluded with the screening of a documentary film on the Bathraa initiative, highlighting its crucial role in supporting small-scale rural producers, including farmers, livestock breeders, beekeepers, and fishermen, in crisis-affected regions worldwide.
The film showcased how the initiative provides seeds, raw materials, and training, and helps market products to generate income, fostering self-sufficiency and boosting local economies.
Ksrelief also signed five agreements with several local entities with the aim of promoting bilateral cooperation through exchanging experiences and building capacity, research studies, relief and humanitarian programs, and support for comprehensive agricultural development.
