On Sunday, 2 November 2026, the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC) announced the launch of a new seeding campaign in Jubail, in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Region, as part of the third season of its rehabilitation program. The campaign aims to sow native wild and rangeland plant seeds, a move that aligns with the 2026 National Greening Season and the Kingdom’s broader environmental sustainability goals.
The NCVC’s strategy involves selecting sites across the Eastern Region where the local climate and soil conditions favor the growth of native species. The center plans to directly sow seeds suited to the Kingdom’s varied vegetation zones to promote successful rehabilitation, preserve plant genetic resources, and help plants adapt to changing climatic conditions. The initiative is part of the NCVC’s role to develop, protect, and monitor vegetation sites, oversee rangelands, forests, and national parks throughout Saudi Arabia, and help restore ecosystems on a national scale.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, the campaign will not only expand vegetation cover but also restore degraded land, rehabilitate rangelands, and promote environmental sustainability in line with national targets for conserving natural resources. By sowing native seeds, the NCVC intends to restore natural grazing lands while simultaneously facilitating rainwater harvesting as another component of the broader rehabilitation effort.
Broader Context of Saudi Greening Efforts
The NCVC’s seeding campaign in Jubail is a continuation of the country’s sustained push to increase vegetation cover across the Kingdom. The 2026 National Greening Season focuses on expanding green space, improving water‐retention capacity of soils, and boosting ecological resilience in semi‑arid areas. Through coordinated efforts such as this one, the NCVC seeks to meet national targets that encourage sustainable natural resource management and reduce desertification.
While the campaign presents a concrete action in line with national greening objectives, the Saudi Press Agency highlighted that many of the agency’s initiatives rely on continuous monitoring and adaptive management. Monitoring success rates, seed germination, and the long‑term health of restored rangelands remains an ongoing activity within the NCVC’s broader scope. The source notes that a range of environmental variables will determine the campaign’s eventual impact, but no definitive metrics for success were detailed in the release.
Sources do not identify any specific uncertainties beyond the general need for ongoing observations and adaptive management to gauge the campaign’s effectiveness over time.
