ABU DHABI: Organisers of the Liwa Date Festival and Auction announced that the Republic of Iraq will be the ”Guest of Honour” in its third edition, which will be held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, from 11th to 20th October 2024 in Madinat Zayed, Al Dhafra Region.
Organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, the Festival aims primarily to transfer knowledge and exchange expertise between farmers to grow the best and finest types of palms and fruits. It falls within the heritage and agricultural events and activities held nationwide to promote the Emirati heritage, support indigenous products and enhance the nation’s food security system.
In its third edition, the festival will host the Republic of Iraq as a Guest of Honour, fostering stronger ties and agricultural cooperation between the two nations. This partnership aims to enhance collaboration in vital sectors and facilitate the exchange of expertise in agriculture.
During t
he festival, the “Iraqi Date Village” will provide a platform that brings together farmers and business owners to support marketing and economic initiatives related to dates. It will showcase the finest variaties of Iraqi dates and serve as a direct sales outlet for festival visitors interested in acquiring Iraqi dates.
The Liwa Date Festival and Auction will feature a range of rich programmes and events designed to support the agricultural sector and bolster the date industry across the UAE. These include competitive events, auctions, and the traditional dates mazayna, alongside culinary contests and date packaging competitions.
Additional activities include drawing and photography sessions, informative lectures, and training programmes catering to different age groups. Government and private sector organisations will also be present, offering interactive pavilions and educational platforms for both farmers and visitors.
The festival underscores the commitment of the UAE leadership to enhancing the agricu
ltural sector’s contribution to the economy of Abu Dhabi. By providing a specialised platform for farm owners to market Emirati dates and exchange knowledge on modern farming techniques and palm tree care, the event reflects the vision of the leaderships and also aligns with the Abu Dhabi government’s objective to support sustainable agricultural development and elevate the UAE’s global leadership in this sector while preserving its cultural and agricultural heritage.
The Liwa Date Festival and Auction has established itself as a premier international heritage event promoting the production and processing of dates, and highlighting premium varieties, to support the UAE’s food security strategy. The festival motivates farmers and producers to enhance product quality while also facilitating knowledge exchange and advancing research in palm tree cultivation.
Source: Emirates News Agency