In the mountains of southern Saudi Arabia, a family-run farm is merging generations of agricultural expertise with modern technology to reshape its operations. Haswa Mango Farm, located in Rijal Almaa, is using artificial intelligence and a suite of smart tools to significantly improve crop quality, increase production, and drastically conserve water.
Quick Facts
- Irrigation water use cut by approximately 50%
- Crop production increased by at least 40%
- Uses AI with soil sensors and image analysis
- Achieved a flowering rate of over 98%
From Traditional Roots to Smart Farming
Haswa Mango Farm, also known as Abdullah Saad Al-Zalfi Farm, was established in early 2019 on a 20,000-square-meter plot with about 150 mango trees. Jamal Al-Zalfi, whose family has farmed in the region for generations, saw an opportunity to integrate technology to address key agricultural challenges, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s national push for sustainability and food security.
“The main motivation for introducing AI technologies was to obtain accurate agricultural information to support decision-making, particularly in irrigation scheduling, detecting nutrient deficiencies, and the early identification of insect and fungal pests,” Al-Zalfi told Arab News.
He pointed to irrigation as a primary hurdle. “One of the biggest challenges we faced was determining the correct irrigation schedule, as it directly affects early flowering and production levels,” Al-Zalfi added.
The Tech Behind the Harvest
The farm’s system is built on data. AI-supported tools collect real-time readings from soil-moisture sensors and analyze high-magnification images of mango leaves to spot issues before they escalate.
This data-driven approach allows the farm to make precise decisions. For instance, the system determines irrigation needs based on soil moisture levels, scheduling watering every two, three, or five days as required. The image analysis helps identify nutrient gaps, insect infestations, and fungal diseases far earlier than the naked eye could.
The equipment includes an intelligent soil detector, a plant inspection magnifier, and meters to measure water salinity and wind speed. The farm also uses third-party applications like Plantix and Agrio to diagnose plant diseases and analyze agricultural data, while also developing its own proprietary AI-powered application to further streamline operations.
Slashing Water and Boosting Yields
The results have been substantial. By scheduling irrigation based on sensor data instead of a fixed calendar, the farm has cut water consumption by around 50% compared to previous seasons.
This precision has had a direct impact on output. Al-Zalfi reported that AI-managed irrigation led to a flowering rate of over 98% during the 2026 season, with flowering beginning in mid-December 2025—nearly two months earlier than in previous years.
“The more precise irrigation schedule helped to encourage earlier flowering and increased production,” he said. The combination of efficient water use and early pest detection contributed to an overall production increase of at least 40%. The farm’s 2026 production has already hit five tonnes, surpassing its average annual output of four tonnes with a month left in the season.
About Haswa Mango Farm
Located in the village of Hiswah in Saudi Arabia’s Rijal Almaa governorate, Haswa Mango Farm is a family-owned agricultural project founded in 2019. The farm spans 20,000 square meters and cultivates around 150 mango trees, including varieties like Tommy Atkins, Angra, and Sindri. By integrating AI and smart farming tools, it has become a model for sustainable agriculture in the Kingdom, focusing on water conservation and increased crop yields.
Source: Arab News
