Al Dhafra Dates Festival, a top heritage event

The Al Dhafra Dates Festival and Auction continues to play a pivotal role as an integrated cultural and agricultural platform, featuring initiatives that promote local production and celebrate the UAE’s deep-rooted agricultural heritage.

Over the years, the festival has reinforced its standing as one of the leading heritage events in the UAE and the region by encouraging farmers to enhance the quality of their produce and offering them comprehensive marketing opportunities.

It also supports date-related industries, helping to strengthen their presence in both local and global markets.

Through its successive editions, the festival has fostered knowledge exchange and research collaboration in palm cultivation and date production, contributing to the sustainable growth of this vital sector.

The 4th edition of the Liwa Dates Festival and Auction, organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority in strategic partnership with the Serh Group and supported by several government and private entities, concludes later today.

The festival reflects the UAE’s enduring commitment to the palm tree and its products, recognising it as a symbol of generosity and a cornerstone of the nation’s heritage and identity.

The palm also plays a vital role in strengthening food security and promoting sustainable agricultural development. This year’s festival featured a comprehensive programme of activities, including 21 competitions dedicated to dates, honey, cooking, packaging, drawing and photography, with 173 prizes totalling more than Dhs5.56 million awarded to outstanding farmers, producers and enthusiasts.

Throughout the event, an auction of Emirati dates showcased premium varieties to visitors and buyers, enhancing the market value of local produce and supporting the national product.

Morocco participated as the Guest of Honour for this edition, underscoring the strong agricultural and food ties between the two countries.

A special Moroccan dates village displayed some of Morocco’s finest date varieties, offering visitors a chance to explore and purchase them directly from producers, symbolising the cultural and economic cooperation between the UAE and Morocco.

The festival also featured a Honey Village aimed at supporting beekeepers and honey producers, promoting local honey production, and familiarising visitors with the unique types and characteristics of Emirati honey.

WAM