Agadir – The Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation has organized 70 international date festivals in cooperation with its partners across nine countries, supporting the development of the date palm sector, agricultural research, and knowledge exchange among producers.
The award’s Secretary-General, Abdelouahhab Alboukhari Zaid, highlighted these initiatives ahead of the 15th International Date Conference in Erfoud, Morocco, scheduled for October 28 to November 1.
The award, established in 2007 and affiliated with Erth Zayed Philanthropies at the UAE Presidential Court, has built partnerships with institutions in date-producing countries to promote agricultural innovation, transfer knowledge, and encourage exchanges among farmers, researchers, and producers.
According to Zaid, the award’s international activities reflect the United Arab Emirates’ commitment to sustainable agricultural development, food security, and cooperation among date-producing countries.
Nine countries host international date festivals
The award has supported international date festivals and exhibitions in nine countries: the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Sudan, Mauritania, Pakistan, Ethiopia, and Mexico.
These events bring together farmers, producers, manufacturers, exporters, researchers, investors, and policymakers. They also give participants opportunities to exchange expertise, explore modern agricultural technologies, promote local date varieties, and identify investment and trade opportunities.
Zaid said the 70 festivals organized in cooperation with international partners through 2026 demonstrate the growing scope of these initiatives.
He added that partnerships should deliver benefits beyond the events themselves by improving communication throughout the date value chain, raising product quality, sharing technical knowledge, and helping producers reach new markets.
Morocco showcases its date-growing heritage
The award’s participation in the International Date Conference in Erfoud reflects cooperation between Morocco and the UAE in developing date cultivation and protecting oasis ecosystems.
Morocco has a long agricultural tradition in date palm cultivation and produces commercially valuable varieties, including Medjool dates, which attract interest in international markets.
The Erfoud conference provides a platform for date-producing countries to discuss agricultural innovation, water management, climate change adaptation, and investment opportunities linked to dates and their derivatives.
Research and innovation address sector challenges
The award also supports scientific research to address challenges facing date palm cultivation, including water scarcity, rising temperatures, agricultural pests, and the need to improve productivity and quality.
Its activities include international scientific conferences, research publications, and recognition of scientists, researchers, and innovators. The award also seeks to strengthen cooperation between academic and research institutions and the production sector.
Zaid identified biotechnology, smart water management, precision agriculture, remote sensing, and artificial intelligence as areas that could help farmers improve production efficiency and adapt to changing climatic conditions.
He emphasized that researchers must translate scientific findings into practical solutions that farmers and producers can use to manage resources more efficiently, improve product quality, and strengthen the sector’s sustainability.
The award also considers support for small-scale farmers a key part of sector development. Improving their technical skills and marketing capabilities can help sustain rural livelihoods and oasis communities.
