Al Dhaid Date Festival 2024 Wraps Up, Honours 130 Palm Farmers In Sharjah

The eighth edition of the "Al Dhaid Date Festival," organised by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), concluded on Sunday at Expo Al Dhaid. The event, held from 25th to 28th July, featured four days of activities and competitions, attracting thousands of visitors from Sharjah and other emirates.

The festival crowned 130 winners in its main dates’ competitions, which were designed for participating farmers. Attendees enjoyed displays showcasing the finest date varieties and fruits while engaging in activities that celebrated Emirati cultural heritage and traditions.

During the festival, several key competitions were introduced, including the "General Elite Dates Beauty" and "Rare Dates" contests. A new competition, "Ratb Al Kharaif Beauty," was launched exclusively for children, marking its debut in the UAE. These contests aimed to highlight the best types and varieties of locally produced dates.

The closing ceremony saw notable attendees such as Waleed Abdel Rahman BuKhatir, Second Vice Chairman of SCCI, and Jamal Mohamed Sultan Binhuwaidin, SCCI board member. Mohammad Musabah Al Tunaiji, General Coordinator of Al Dhaid Date Festival, along with members of the Organising Committee and various officials, were also present.

The final day featured high-level official delegations and representatives from government agencies. Sheikh Mohammed bin Faisal Bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Chairman of United Arab Bank's Board of Directors, praised the festival for promoting date palm cultivation and enhancing its quality. A delegation from Saudi Arabia's Buraidah Date Festival also attended to explore premium date varieties showcased by Emirati farmers.

Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of SCCI, highlighted that the success of this year's festival has solidified its position as a significant heritage, social, and economic event. He emphasised that it plays a crucial role in preserving UAE's rich heritage and fostering growth in the date palm industry.

Support from Leadership

Al Owais attributed the festival's success to the support and directives from wise leadership. He underscored the importance of date palm cultivation for its strong ties to Emirati heritage and culture. The festival contributes significantly to UAE’s economic development and aligns with its National Food Security Strategy aiming for global leadership in food security by 2051.

Over its four days, the festival awarded valuable prizes to 130 winners across various categories like "Al Ratab Beauty," "The Best Lemons," "Fig Contest," "The Most Beautiful Home-grown Dates" (for women), and "Ratb Al Kharaif Beauty" (for children). Contestants showcased their best locally produced dates and fruits during these competitions.

Participation from Productive Families

More than 40 productive families participated by showcasing handicrafts made from dry palm leaves. This highlighted UAE's deep-rooted heritage in palm cultivation. The festival provided a platform for farmers to learn about modern agricultural technologies, sustainable farming methods, and organic products.

Companies specialising in organic farming and agricultural machinery participated by offering modern solutions that replace chemical fertilisers with natural materials. Farmers were introduced to advanced equipment like multi-functional sprayers, soil tillers, fertiliser spreaders, and waste shredders.

The event successfully revived Emirati cultural heritage while promoting sustainable agricultural practices among local farmers.

With inputs from WAM