Pictures: Rice farming in Saudi Arabia

Saudi farmers plucks rice plantation, known as "Hassawi Rice" in a rice field in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. The city of Al-Ahsa in the Saudi Arabian eastern region is well-known for its hassawi red rice, which is the most expensive in the world. The rice is planted after the summer months. Usually, it is September and October before the farmers start preparing the soil.

A Saudi farmer plucks rice plantation in a rice field in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.

This quality of rare red rice is threatened with extinction due to rare water resources. The rice seedlings are completely immersed in water, and then they are rinsed for five successive days every week. Above, a Saudi farmer plucks rice plantation, known as "Hassawi Rice" in a rice field

It also consumes a lot of water while it’s being planted although its roots reserve water for a long time.

Saudi boys in a rice field in Al-Ahsa.

Red rice is rich in carbohydrates, proteins and fibers that have high nutritional values, which help those suffering from arthritis and broken bones heal.

The hassawi rice is an agricultural crop that’s grown in hot areas as it needs temperatures as high as 48 degrees Celsius otherwise it will not complete its growth phases.

Saudi farmers look on as they carry freshly plucked rice plants known as "Hassawi Rice" grown in a rice field in Al-Ahsa.