Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, the 17th edition of the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation honoured its winners.
The ceremony was attended by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, Chairman of Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation Board of Trustees and key figures from across the globe.
Held at the Emirates Palace on Wednesday, the event brought together over 10 agriculture ministers, 52 ambassadors, international experts and innovators, all united in celebrating groundbreaking work in date palm cultivation and agricultural advancement.
Minister Al Nahayan honoured leading national and international figures for their role in advancing date palm cultivation, including His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Faisal bin Mishaal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Al Qassim Province in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Representing the Kingdom, Eng. Salman Jarallah AlSuwainea, General Supervisor of the Ministry's branches in the northern and northwestern sectors, at the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture highlighted the award's significance.
"There is no doubt that this award is of great importance to date palm producers and to the overall advancement of the sector… It's driving development, increasing research and contributing to the cultivation of new and improved varieties."
Acknowledging Prince Dr. Faisal's recognition in the Innovation Sector, he added: "He is a pioneer and the general supervisor of all activities related to date festivals. In Qassim, we have more than 12 million palm trees producing over 400,000 tons of top-quality dates, exporting to 113 countries. In line with our Vision 2030, we aim to become the world's leading producer of high quality dates.
"There is no doubt that dates require support for scientific research. The global date palm industry must rely on continuous innovation to maintain and improve production quality."
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak honoured the winners of the 17th Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation in the following categories:
· The Distinguished Innovative Studies and Modern Technology Category, shared by Dr. Abdulqader Jighly – SuSTATability Statistical Solutions Company, Australia; and Dr. Khaled Michel Hazzouri, Khalifa Center for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology, UAE.
· The Pioneering Development and Productive Projects Category, shared by EDEN Innovations, UAE, and Dr. Nawaf Salem Alhajeri, Kuwait University.
· The Pioneering and Sophisticated Innovations Serving the Agricultural Sector Category, won by SPOTTA Company, UK.
· The Distinguished Producers, Manufacturers and Marketers Category, shared by Mr. Khamis Mohammed Khamis Freih Al-Qubaisi, UAE, and Eng. Benaoun, Gadri Mohammed, Tunisia.
· The Influential Figure in the Field of Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation Category, shared by Dr. Ghulam Sarwar Markhand, Pakistan, and Dr. Sherif Fathy Ali Ibrahim El-Sharbasi, Egypt.
Speaking to Aletihad, Al-Qubaisi from the UAE, who won in the "Distinguished Producers, Manufacturers, and Marketers" category, said his farm stood out thanks to its strong focus on quality and variety.
"The farm is distinguished by its production of dates and palm trees. We have greenhouses for cultivating select fruits, a modern water network, and over 15 types of palm trees, including rare, imported varieties. We are working to increase their numbers because they are not widely available in the local market."
Al-Qubaisi further shared his plans to further develop the farm: "For the future, we aim to maximise the benefits of palm trees by improving date varieties and boosting production quality. We also rely on traditional knowledge passed down from our ancestors, like irrigation methods, precise water distribution and timely fertilisation. These practices play a key role in improving crop quality."
Dr. Alhajeri from Kuwait University, who won in the Pioneering Development and Productive Projects Category, said of his project: "The project is about using photovoltaic-powered water desalination to support food security and resilience in arid regions."
He stressed the critical role of food security in the region, particularly in the Gulf, noting: "Food security is a top priority, and that is what the Award aims to support - sustainable food sources in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. By backing research and innovative projects, the Award plays a major role in advancing this vital sector and ensuring its long-term resilience.
"From my perspective, the future looks very bright. The 17th edition of the Award saw key agreements signed. Bringing together researchers, institutions and volunteers in one place sets a strong foundation for the future of date production and agricultural innovation."
Dr. Markhand of Pakistan, won the Influential Figure in the Field of Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation Category, shared: "I am proud to be one of the winners in the 17th edition of the awards. This is the real value of the award - it boosts the date palm sector globally by recognising scientists and innovators. It's a marvellous opportunity to be here."
Dr. Markhand's work focuses on date palm propagation, along with research on post-harvest practices, drying technologies and disease control.
"Date palm is a fast-developing crop with huge potential. With rising global demand, more countries are investing in cultivation and innovation. It has a very bright future."
