Ibrahim Saleem (ABU DHABI)
The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) said that the UAE ranks eighth globally in date production, estimated at 400,000 tonnes annually, according to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization for 2022.
The authority reported that the production volume of dates in Abu Dhabi last year reached 234,079 tonnes, distributed across farms in the Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra regions. There are a total of 25,563 farms in Abu Dhabi.
ADAFSA emphasised that it implements Integrated Date Palm Management Programme to control palm pests safely, aiming to reduce the economic damage and to protect the ecosystem from the indiscriminate use of pesticides. This programme enhances the quantity and quality of date production and minimises the detrimental effects of pests on the date crop.
The authority also mentioned that its engineers conduct visits to date farms to improve agricultural practices, especially concerning palms and dates. These visits enhance farmers’ skills in adopting best practices and techniques in date production, which leads to improved quality and increased productivity.
It stated that it works on promoting the development and sustainability of palm trees through a series of integrated initiatives, including conducting scientific research to improve palm cultivation techniques and increase date productivity, in addition to providing training programmes for farmers on best agricultural practices.
The authority also encourages innovation by utilising modern techniques such as smart farming and modern irrigation methods, while implementing programmes to protect biosecurity related to palm cultivation. Furthermore, ADAFSA strengthens partnerships with local and international institutions to leverage expertise through supporting sustainable agricultural development projects.
The authority contributes to enhancing food security and the sustainability of the palm sector in the emirate. It noted that these efforts will significantly contribute to developing the food security and biosecurity system and enhancing agricultural sustainability in the farms of Abu Dhabi. The progress of these efforts is monitored through indicators related to the agricultural sector.
The authority aims to enhance the use of modern technologies to boost date productivity and quality, such as modern drying houses for dates.
These facilities are effective in preserving date quality and increasing their shelf life by controlling temperature and humidity, which contributes to optimal drying and maintains nutritional value, while also reducing production loss, benefitting farmers and enhancing the competitiveness of dates in local and international markets.
The authority said that the UAE is home to over 120 varieties of palm trees, some of which are native while others have been introduced from various countries. The farms in the emirate are distinguished by a diversity of promising commercial varieties suitable for consumption and marketing, yielding good economic returns, whether consumed in the khalas, rutab, or tamr stages.
Among these varieties are: “khalas”, “barhi”, “shishi”, “khenizi”, “abu ma’an”, “fard”, “dabbas”, “majhoul”, “lulu”, “nghal”, “umm al-dahn”, “zamali”, “sultani”, and others, each possessing unique characteristics and distinctive flavours, making UAE dates special compared to other global varieties.
According to ADAFSA, festivals dedicated to dates in the UAE, such as the Liwa Date Festival and the Dubai Date Festival, play a vital role in encouraging farmers to focus on notable varieties. This trend enhances competition among farmers, leading to the development of new elite varieties, improved production quality, and increased productivity.
The authority urged farmers to benefit from its programmes, which offer technical guidance on palm cultivation and care, efficient water and fertiliser management, and strategies to combat pests and diseases affecting palms and dates.
Additionally, farmers are encouraged to participate in workshops and lectures organised by the authority in this field to increase their knowledge of best agricultural practices, all of which will enhance the productivity and quality of dates, contributing to the sustainability of the palm and date sector in the emirate.