Sharjah To Celebrate 8th Al Dhaid Date Festival With New Competitions In July

The Organising Committee of the "Al Dhaid Date Festival 2024" has finalised preparations for its 8th edition. Scheduled from 25th to 28th July at Expo Al Dhaid, the event is organised by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI). It will feature extensive participation from palm farmers and date enthusiasts across the UAE.

Mohammad Musabah Al Tunaiji, General Coordinator of Al Dhaid Date Festival, highlighted the introduction of several innovative competitions and valuable prizes this year. He noted that these initiatives aim to encourage palm farm owners to enhance their date cultivation efforts. The festival has been instrumental in reinforcing the UAE’s heritage and national identity over the years.

This year's festival will introduce a new competition for children called "Ratb Al Kharaif Beauty," making its debut in the UAE. This contest joins other main competitions such as "The Most Beautiful Home-grown Dates" (exclusively for women), "Best Lemons," and "Fig Contest." Additionally, a new "Rare Dates" competition will focus on agricultural areas in Al Dhaid and the eastern and northern regions.

The festival will commence on July 25th with the "Khneizi Dates Beauty Contest" and the "Women's Makhrafa Dates Beauty Contest." The following day will feature the "Al-Khalas Dates Beauty Contest" and the "Red Fig" Competition. On July 27th, events include the "Shishi Dates" and "Local Lemon" Beauty Contests, along with the children's "Ratb Al Kharaif Beauty" Contest. The final day will host the "General Elite Dates Beauty Contest" and "Rare Dates" competitions.

The Organising Committee has set specific terms for participation in these competitions. Participants must use locally produced dates from their own farms for the 2024 season. They need to provide documents proving ownership of agricultural land during registration. Contestants can participate in up to two categories of dates’ Individual Varieties but are also eligible for the "General Elite Dates" and "Rare Dates" categories.

For "Ratb Al Kharaif Beauty," male children aged 7 to 15 from Sharjah's Central Region can participate. The dates must be locally produced in 2024, weighing at least 3 kilograms, sourced from family farms or home gardens. Participants must present them personally while wearing national dress and provide personal identification documents during registration.

Quality Standards

Participants must present dates that are locally produced in 2024 at an optimal ripeness stage with moisture content not exceeding 50 percent. The dates should be free from insect infestations, dead insects, eggs, larvae, excrement, or any apparent defects. They should not have an abnormal smell or taste or be tainted by traces of minerals or sand such as scars.

The size of dates should be appropriate without containing unripe fruits. For individual varieties’ categories, dates should weigh at least 4kg without baskets. High-quality baskets without hangers are required for presentation.

Economic and Cultural Significance

The festival is expected to see intense competition for valuable prizes awarded to 130 winners across various categories. These awards incentivise participating farmers to improve their local date products' quality. The event also features economic activities, folklore performances, competitions, and cultural programmes promoting knowledge about palm trees and their varieties.

This year’s festival has recorded an increase in participants, indicating its growing success. The event serves as a distinguished platform bringing together palm owners, farmers, industry professionals, and traders from around the UAE.

The festival plays a crucial role in enhancing local date products' quality and boosting investment returns from palm cultivation and related industries. It offers unique opportunities for local farmers to showcase their finest date varieties produced in private farms across the UAE.

With inputs from WAM