PROTECTING SAUDI ARABIA’S MOST IMPORTANT TREE

The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) has joined forces with KAUST to combat the negative impact of the red palm weevil on the Kingdom’s date industry. This collaboration raises hope for the effective detection and control of the pest, which poses a threat to palm trees.

The red palm weevil, which originated in tropical Asia, entered Saudi Arabia in the 1980s and has since spread to various regions, causing substantial economic losses. The weevil’s infestation cycle is rapid and deadly, with larvae consuming the tree from within, leading to its demise if left undetected. In response to this threat, MEWA sought the expertise of KAUST researchers to help devise innovative safeguards.

Led by KAUST Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Boon Ooi, a team of researchers explored the potential of sensing technology previously used by Saudi Aramco to monitor the flow of oil downhole and gas drill pipes.

They hypothesized that this technology, known as a distributed acoustic sensor (DAS), could be adapted to detect the presence of red palm weevil larvae within palm trees.

Initial tests conducted at a MEWA farm in AlAhsa demonstrated promising results. However, there were challenges deploying the technology in open-air farms due to environmental noise and wind interference. To overcome this hurdle, the KAUST team integrated artificial intelligence and developed a machine-learning algorithm capable of distinguishing the specific sounds produced by munching larvae.

With the system now fine-tuned, the researchers installed optical fibers at TADCO farm, located in Tabuk, with support from NEOM. The data collected from the optical fibers is being used to further train and refine the algorithm’s ability to filter out background noise. The team plans to expand the technology to Al-Ula city and Al-Qassim province in Saudi Arabia.

The potential applications and benefits of this ground-breaking new detection method are numerous. Unlike existing methods that are impractical, expensive or not sensitive enough, the KAUST sensor offers a scalable and cost-effective solution. The system can cover thousands of trees by leveraging roaming vehicles to pick up signals from the optical fibers, revolutionizing the detection and control of red palm weevil infestations.

Recognizing the significance of this approach, the KAUST researchers and their colleagues from MEWA’s National Center for Palms and Dates were awarded the 2022 International Date Palm Innovative Technology Excellence Prize and the 2023 Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation.

Importantly, the applications of this technology extend beyond agriculture. It can also be utilized in earthquake detection, infrastructure and wind turbine monitoring, and homeland security.

The collaboration between KAUST and MEWA aligns with Vision 2030’s goals of diversifying the economy and supporting the growth of the agriculture sector. By employing cutting-edge science, the partnership aims to safeguard the Kingdom’s most important tree, ensuring high production efficiency and product quality while mitigating economic losses.

As field deployment continues, the researchers are determined to validate and enhance the sensitivity of their sensor systems in large-scale open-air farms. Through ongoing advancements and the commitment of KAUST researchers, Saudi Arabia’s date industry stands a better chance of overcoming the formidable threat posed by the red palm weevil, demonstrating the transformative power of scientific innovation in driving sustainable development and safeguarding vital agricultural resources.