RIYADH: Local farmer Turki Al-Atwi stole the spotlight at Tabuk’s third Olive Festival with his impressive rose exhibit and products. The festival, which took place from Oct. 24-29 at Prince Fahad bin Sultan Park in Tabuk, featured the products of aromatic materials from locally grown roses for the first time, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Al-Atwi’s eight-year journey began with a feasibility study to assess growing roses in the rugged terrain of Jabal Al-Lawz. He eventually selected the renowned Damascus rose for its suitability in the mountainous region. Al-Atwi planted nearly 4,000 rose trees, which yield over 1.7 million roses annually. This success led to the production of essential oil for perfumes, cosmetics, candles, soaps, creams, and sprays. Roses grown in Jabal Al-Lawz have a unique aroma influenced by local factors like soil and climate. Extracting essential oil from them requires specialized skills and high-quality distillation equipment. Roses are harvested in April and May to preserve their aroma, and quick processing maintains their aromatic properties. The extracted oil is used in various industries to create rose-based products. Al-Atwi aims to expand his business from his farm in Jabal Al-Lawz. He plans to farm roses in a variety of suitable regions to meet the demands of the market. Tabuk’s Olive Festival helps local farmers by creating new marketing opportunities. With over 40 farmer pavilions and 10 devoted to government agencies, the event hosts several local producer platforms, helping to enhance the festival’s atmosphere.