١٣ أبريل ٢٠٢٦

Workshop Report: Prevention of Dust Mites (Al-Ghubaira)

Workshop Report: Prevention of Dust Mites (Al-Ghubaira) Location: Barni Farm Date: Monday, April 13, 2026 In cooperation with: National Center for Palms and Dates Introduction: As part of the efforts to raise agricultural awareness and improve field practices, a workshop titled "Prevention of Dust Mites (Al-Ghubaira)" was held at Barni Farm, in cooperation with the National Center for Palms and Dates. The goal was to educate farmers on how to prevent this agricultural pest and limit its impact on palm trees and agricultural production. Workshop Objectives: The workshop aimed to: - Define dust mites (Al-Ghubaira) and their damage to palm trees. - Explain the methods of pest spread and factors helping its reproduction. - Raise awareness about the importance of early detection of infestation. - Explain effective prevention and control methods. - Promote sound and sustainable agricultural practices. Workshop Themes: The workshop covered a set of important themes, most notably: - Definition of dust mites (Al-Ghubaira) and its life cycle. - Symptoms of infestation on palm trees. - Places of its reproduction in the agricultural environment. - Preventive measures after the end of the agricultural season, including: - Fully cleaning palms after harvest. - Removing old clusters, fronds, and fibers. - Disposing of fallen fruits and weeds. - Periodically cleaning the irrigation basin. - Control methods and appropriate spraying using recommended pesticides. - The importance of periodic monitoring of the farm to limit the spread of the pest. Recommendations: The workshop resulted in a number of important recommendations, most notably: - Commitment to continuous agricultural hygiene within farms. - Implementing preventive programs directly after the harvest season ends. - Not leaving plant residues inside the farm. - Using pesticides recommended by competent authorities only. - Enhancing continuous awareness for farmers about the dust mite pest. Conclusion: The workshop concluded by emphasizing the importance of cooperation between farmers and the National Center for Palms and Dates in combating agricultural pests, and the necessity of applying preventive measures to maintain the health of palms and the quality of production, contributing to the support and sustainability of the agricultural sector in the Kingdom.