Riyadh: The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC) launched an initiative to rehabilitate natural pastures across the Kingdom, advancing toward a target of rehabilitating 350,000 hectares by 2030 in support of the Saudi Green Initiative.

According to Saudi Press Agency, over the past two years, the center restored over 51,000 hectares of degraded land across 58 sites and 15 valleys and meadows by sowing 109 tons of seeds representing 40 plant species. This year, the program aims to rehabilitate an additional 60,000 hectares across 70 sites and 25 valleys and meadows by dispersing more than 110 tons of seeds covering 70 species.

To maximize germination, all distributed seeds underwent six quality tests in accordance with International Seed Testing Association standards. The center also aligned its sowing schedules and rainwater-harvesting efforts with the Regional Cloud Seeding Program, using rainfall forecasts and climate data to target high-precipitation zones and boost plant survival rates.