Latest news with #SFD
Saba Yemen
16 hours ago
- Business
- Saba Yemen
Field day for vegetable farmers in Hamdan, Sana'a
Sana'a - Saba: Fares Al-Kahali, Deputy Governor of Sana'a for Services Sector, emphasized the importance of encouraging and supporting farmers to enhance agricultural productivity, particularly in cereal crops. His remarks came during a field day for vegetable farmers in Hamdan District, organized by the Small and Micro Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDA) of the Social Fund for Development (SFD). The event was funded and supported by the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), under the supervision of the Agricultural Sector in the province. Al-Kahali highlighted the need to develop and improve agricultural extension programs to educate farmers on best practices and modern techniques that help reduce costs and increase production rates. He praised the farmers' engagement with project officials and their cooperation in implementing various agricultural production programs. For his part, Ali Al-Qiri, head of the Agricultural Sector in the governorate, commended the farmers' interaction, stressing the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water Resources, and local authorities' commitment to developing agricultural infrastructure by supporting farmers to achieve self-sufficiency. He also appreciated the support of the SFD, SMEDA, and all partners involved in implementing the project, which targets 60 farmers in the Wadi'ah area of Hamdan District. Fahd Attiya, Director of Hamdan District, noted the local authority and agricultural sector's dedication to farmers, in line with the directives of the Revolution Leader and the Supreme Political Council to support farmers and facilitate agricultural development. Meanwhile, Abdulrahman Al-Akhram, Cash-for-Work Program Officer at SFD, Bashir Al-Azib, Livelihood Improvement Supervisor, and Mansour Sanad, Head of the Project's Community Committee, explained that the "Integrated Development Interventions" project under the Second Additional Financing for the Social Protection Enhancement Project in Hamdan District aims to support 60 small-scale vegetable farmers in Breesh and Dharhan villages. The project provides technical guidance for vegetable production using modern agricultural techniques, including modern irrigation systems, agricultural inputs, and advanced methods, covering a quarter-hectare per farmer in areas known for irrigated vegetable farming from sustainable wells in Wadi'ah. The total project cost is $120,000, covering 15 hectares. Additionally, the project includes interventions such as rehabilitating ponds, dams, irrigation channels, and terraces in Dharhan and Al-Lakmah villages under the Cash-for-Work component, costing $255,000. The initiative seeks to contribute to food security, improve livelihoods, introduce modern agricultural inputs and techniques, reduce production and irrigation costs, minimize crop losses, increase vertical production per unit area, and enhance farmers' income. Officials praised the support of the agricultural sector and local authorities in Hamdan, as well as the farmers' cooperation in ensuring the project's success. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (Local)
Daily Express
15-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Monitoring forest plantation projects crucial: Sabah Forestry Department
Published on: Tuesday, July 15, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 15, 2025 By: Lagatah Toyos Text Size: Frederick planting a tree as a symbolic gesture to promote the greening concept of industrial forest plantations. TAWAU: The Sabah Forestry Department (SFD) will continue to monitor the implementation of all forest plantation projects in the state to ensure that all development activities adhere to the principles of Sustainable Forest Management. Chief Conservator of Forests, Datuk Frederick Kugan, said this is crucial in balancing environmental conservation and the state's economic development. Advertisement He said this after visiting the plantation site of Kalabakan Borneo Resources Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Usahawan Borneo Group, in Serudong, where he also inspected the tree nursery. The visit, which aimed to better understand the breeding process and planting preparations on the ground, was also joined by his wife, Rosita Limy, and more than 30 senior SFD officers. During the visit, Frederick praised the company's excellent performance in sustainable forest management, describing it as a model company for forest plantation development in Sabah. According to him, the company manages a 23,610-hectare forest plantation area in the Serudong Forest Reserve — more than half of the total land approved for forest plantation development in Kalabakan. 'To date, the Sabah Forestry Department has approved over 40,000 hectares of land in Kalabakan for this purpose,' he said in a statement. He added that the company had planted various fast-growing commercial tree species, including Batai trees (Falcataria moluccana). 'This species has a short harvesting cycle and high economic value, which helps improve the productivity of forest plantations,' he said. He said that the use of fast-growing species like this contributes to the sustainable and economically balanced development of Sabah's forestry industry. Frederick added that Kalabakan Borneo Resources consistently upholds social and environmental responsibility in executing its projects. The company, he said, fully complies with the standards set by the department and has demonstrated a high level of management and implementation on the ground. Earlier, the delegation was welcomed by Usahawan Borneo Group Chairman, Datuk Seri Elbert Lim Yu Ming, along with the company's senior management team. They were given a detailed briefing on the company's planting plans, breeding techniques, and environmental conservation efforts. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Arab News
14-07-2025
- Health
- Arab News
Saudi-funded university township opens in Sri Lanka's rural northwest
COLOMBO: The Wayamba University township, financed by the Saudi Fund for Development, was opened to the public on Monday, marking the latest development initiative completed in Sri Lanka with Saudi assistance. The $28 million project in Sri Lanka's North Western Province covers new buildings, renovation of existing classrooms, and new equipment. The ceremonial opening was attended by SFD CEO Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, Sri Lankan Parliament Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih, and Saudi Ambassador Khalid Hamoud Al-Qahtani. 'We believe that building universities is not limited to constructing buildings only, but is the foundation for a brighter future and the building of bridges of understanding and knowledge between peoples,' Al-Qahtani told Arab News. 'This project represents a model of what sincere developmental partnerships can achieve, based on respect and mutual cooperation, away from any agendas or conditions.' Ameer Ajwad, Sri Lanka's envoy to Saudi Arabia, said the project includes significant infrastructure development at the Kuliyapitiya and Makandura campuses of the Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, benefiting over 5,000 students of both campuses. 'The project is expected to boost the university's capacity to provide quality education and contribute to the long-term economic and social development of the surrounding communities living in the region,' he told Arab News. The SFD has been a long-term partner of Sri Lanka, completing crucial developments such as the Colombo Water Supply and Sewerage Project, which improved the capital city's urban water supply and sanitation infrastructure and benefitted tens of thousands of households, as well as the Kinniya Bridge — Sri Lanka's longest bridge — connecting Trincomalee and Kinniya across the Koddiyar Bay. Among the SFD-financed initiatives are also the Neuro‑Trauma Unit of the Colombo National Hospital and the Epilepsy Hospital and Health Centre — a specialized 242-bed epilepsy facility, also in the capital. 'The Wayamba University township development project is Saudi Arabia's 11th development project in Sri Lanka. There are three more ongoing projects. One of them is also an educational development project; the Saudi Fund for Development provided $50 million for the construction of a medical faculty at the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka,' Ajwad said. 'The Saudi Fund for Development continues to play a crucial role in advancing key development projects in Sri Lanka, especially educational, health and infrastructure projects. Saudi Arabia was the only country that did not suspend disbursement of its funds to Sri Lanka and continued to fund despite Sri Lanka's recent economic downturn.'
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Yahoo
Northern California residents to be ‘wildly surprised' by massive illegal fireworks fines in the mail
( –Thousands of illegal fireworks users who thought they got away with lighting them up on the Fourth of July may be surprised by hefty citations showing up in their mailboxes over the next few weeks. Northern California skylines lit up Friday night with big, bright, and illegal fireworks. Despite stern warnings from law enforcement about fines and even possible jail time, there seemed to be no shortage of illegal fireworks going off throughout the night and into Saturday morning. Northern California officials suspect illegal fireworks to blame for several wildfires 'A lot of people are going to be wildly surprised when they get massive fines in the mail,' Sacramento Fire Department Captain Justin Sylvia told on Saturday. While residents were shooting colorful explosives into the sky, law enforcement was driving around in unmarked vehicles and flying drones over known hotspots for illegal activity. This tactic was also used last year, but this time around, penalties are drastically different, according to SFD. Instead of being fined per illegal fireworks occurrence, violators are now fined per lit firework. Northern California police warn of $1,000 fine per illegal firework amid Fourth of July holiday 'What may have been a $1,000 fine for one occurrence last year could now be $30,000 because you lit off so many,' Sylvia said. Fines are mailed to the homeowner, regardless of who lit the fireworks. Because of the Social Host Ordinance in Sacramento, the homeowner is responsible for all activities that happen on their premise. If the person who sets off illegal fireworks is renting or even just visiting, the homeowner will receive the fines. Police seize nearly 2,000 pounds of illegal fireworks, explosives in Northern California 'Homeowners around Sacramento might be issuing eviction notices,' Sylvia said. SFD said it is still reviewing surveillance footage, but has around 60 citations in the works. The citations, so far, total hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines. 'If you think you got away with it, you probably didn't,' Sylvia said. 'It's probably captured on video, so expect a very large fine coming your way.' Another Northern California agency, the Woodland Fire Department, is known to send out illegal fireworks citations after Independence Day has passed. Last year, the agency reviewed reports from the Nail Em App, which is an anonymous platform that community members can use to report their neighbors for illegal fireworks use. 'For those that we didn't have the pleasure of meeting in person on the 4th in action, you've got mail on the way,' WPD said during last year's operation. 'The bottom line is, we heard the overwhelming majority of our community loud and clear, they do not want to hear or see illegal fireworks.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Leaders
04-07-2025
- Business
- Leaders
Tajik President Meets with CEO of Saudi Fund for Development
President Emomali Rahmon of the Republic of Tajikistan met today with Sultan Al-Marshad, CEO of the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), who is currently visiting the country. The meeting highlighted the long-standing development partnership between Tajikistan and the SFD, which spans more than two decades. Discussions focused on strengthening cooperation and exploring opportunities to finance key sectors essential to the country's growth. During his visit, Al-Marshad is expected to sign a development agreement targeting the transportation and communication sector. He will also participate in a groundbreaking ceremony for a new educational project. Since launching its operations in Tajikistan in 2002, the SFD has financed 14 development initiatives through concessional loans totaling over $323 million, contributing significantly to improvements in critical areas and enhancing the quality of life in the country. Related Topics : Saudi Arabia's Cultural Development Fund to Showcase Cultural Innovation at Expo 2025 Osaka A Look into the Tasks of Saudi National Development Fund Chambers Federation Discusses Launch of Georgian Bank in Saudi Arabia Saudi Crown Prince receives Georgia's Prime Minister in Riyadh in an official session of talks Short link : Post Views: 19 Related Stories
