Expo Khor Fakkan Hosts Mango Festival 2024 With Over 150 Varieties

The 3rd annual Mango Festival 2024 commenced yesterday evening and will continue until 30th June at Expo Khor Fakkan. Organised by the Municipal Council of Khor Fakkan in collaboration with the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and Khor Fakkan City Municipality, the three-day event features over 30 farmers showcasing more than 150 varieties of mangoes and citrus fruits.

This year's festival is packed with heritage events and economic activities, creating a competitive atmosphere among local farmers who exhibit their diverse mango and citrus crops. The festival also hosts several competitions with valuable prizes. These include The Mango Mazayna (a contest for the most beautiful mango), a competition for the most beautifully arranged mango basket exclusively for women, and an art competition for children.

The Mango Festival 2024 was inaugurated by Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Dr. Rashid Khamis Al Naqbi, Chairman of Khor Fakkan Municipal Council. The opening ceremony was attended by Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director General of the SCCI, and Khalil Mohammed Al Mansouri, Director of Expo Khor Fakkan, along with members of the Khor Fakkan Municipal Council and local department managers.

Following the inauguration, attendees toured the exhibition's pavilions where they were drawn to various types of fruits on display. These displays reflect the development of agricultural activities and growing interest in producing mangoes along with other fruits in Khor Fakkan and the Eastern Region of Sharjah.

Dr. Rashid Khamis Al Naqbi emphasised the importance of the Mango Festival in supporting farmers by providing a platform to showcase their high-quality products that characterise the Eastern and Central regions of Sharjah. "The festival helps develop and market local agricultural products to consumers," he noted.

The event supports local farmers by encouraging them to enhance their agricultural product quality. This contributes to bolstering Sharjah’s agricultural production and exports, which is crucial for economic stability and food security.

Cultural Heritage Preservation

Abdallah Sultan Al Owais affirmed that the Mango Festival is a multidimensional agricultural and tourism event. "Not only does it celebrate the efforts of productive families and diligent farmers in cultivating premium mango varieties," he said, "but it also helps preserve UAE’s cultural heritage." The festival strengthens local identity and connects new generations with agricultural activities.

The annual Mango Festival plays a crucial role in invigorating tourism within Khor Fakkan, the Eastern Region, and Sharjah as a whole. It also helps preserve cultural heritage through various heritage events.

Educational Workshops

The festival offers a series of educational workshops that provide insights into modern agricultural techniques and crop care. These workshops aim to enhance farmers' expertise while reinforcing their role in preserving UAE's agricultural heritage.

Additionally, participating farmers have an opportunity to take part in these educational workshops. This enhances their expertise in modern farming techniques while reinforcing their role in preserving UAE's agricultural heritage.

Festival Highlights

The Mango Festival 2024 features a variety of economic events including cultural performances by folk groups, competitions, and diverse cultural programmes. The event sees an increase in participating agricultural companies and productive families this year.

The festival is open daily from 16:30 to 22:00, offering visitors numerous activities to enjoy while promoting local agriculture. This year's edition aims to create a competitive atmosphere among local farmers exhibiting their diverse crops.

This event not only celebrates local agriculture but also supports tourism within Khor Fakkan. By encouraging quality enhancement among local farmers, it contributes significantly to Sharjah’s economy.

With inputs from WAM