Khalifa International Award Showcases Seven New Publications At Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

The Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, linked to Erth Zayed Philanthropies, is participating in the 34th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. This event is scheduled from 26th April to 5th May 2025 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. The Award's General Secretariat will host a pavilion showcasing its latest scientific publications in Arabic and English, focusing on date palm cultivation and agricultural innovation.

Dr. Abdelouahhab Alboukhari Zaid, Secretary-General of the Award, stated that their participation in the book fair is a significant opportunity to engage with agricultural specialists. He highlighted the intellectual role of the Award in supporting date palm trees through awards, festivals, publications, and scientific documentation. This effort enriches both Arab and global libraries.

The participation underscores the Award’s dedication to spreading specialised knowledge and sharing successful research outcomes. These efforts benefit agriculture in the UAE and globally, aligning with the UAE leadership's vision of promoting innovation and sustainability. The initiative aims to advance the date palm sector at national, regional, and international levels.

During this event, seven new books will be launched as part of the Award’s annual publications. These books were introduced during the 17th session of the Award’s Winners Honouring ceremony in 2025. They include specialised studies in various fields related to agriculture and date palm cultivation.

The new releases include "Date Palm Cultivation" available in both Arabic and English editions, published with FAO collaboration. Another notable publication is "The Glossary of Biotechnology for Food and Agriculture," also produced with FAO's support. These works aim to document best practices and encourage sustainable solutions among farmers.

Additional publications include "Date Palm Cultivation in Mexico" in Spanish, created with Sonora State University and Dr. Ricardo Salomon Torres. The "Food Industries from Dates" book is available in Arabic through collaboration with Prof. Hassan Khaled Al Oqaidi. "Organic Agriculture" is published in English with Prof. Magdy Mohamed Qenawy.

Diverse Language Offerings

The "Mejhoul Variety: The Jewel of Dates" book stands out for being available globally in five languages: Arabic, English, French, Spanish, and Indonesian. This publication was developed with input from the Indonesian Kalimantan Date Palm Association, showcasing its wide-reaching impact.

These publications are supported by strong scientific credibility due to contributions from esteemed researchers, academics, and international experts. This comprehensive approach aims to document best practices while encouraging sustainable agricultural solutions.

Dr. Zaid encouraged visitors at the fair to explore these new publications at their booth. He emphasised that the Award remains committed to promoting its developmental, environmental, and humanitarian message through books as tools for positive influence and change.

With inputs from WAM