Abu Dhabi: The eighth Emirates International Date Palm Festival (EIDPF) kicked off on Monday in the capital showcasing dates and its related products from around the world.

In a bid to introduce the public to a range of dates, this year’s edition is showcasing the fruit from several countries, including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Pakistan, Morocco, Tunisia, USA and Oman.

Mohammad Al Raisi, director of communication and community service at the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, said that as of 2013, 40 per cent less water is being used for irrigation in UAE farms through the adoption of new methods.

“Palm trees need a lot of water and so due to lack of education and awareness, many individuals were over-watering them. By raising the level of awareness among farmers and by using processed water from the Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company we have managed to make growing palm trees a more efficient process,” Al Raisi told Gulf News.

Meanwhile, the Abu Dhabi Farmers Services Centre (ADFSC) is looking to promote local produce by informing individuals about their benefits.

“When you purchase a locally produced vegetable, you are effectively buying something that is fresher than anything imported. Currently, UAE farms produce around 40 types of vegetables that individuals can identify using our traceability service which allows the public to find out exactly which farm a box of vegetables came from and when it was picked,” Ali Al Marzouqi, Planning and Development Division Director at ADFSC, said.

Running alongside the EIDPF is the SIAL Middle East Food Exhibition where some of the latest technologies in packaging are on display.

“Farmers and other vendors can go to SIAL to take a look at packaging techniques. These are essential in making sure that products are free of contamination,” Al Raisi added.

Experts have highlighted the fact that while making several stops to reach the UAE, vegetables may become contaminated and lose their nutritional value.

Currently, the ADFSC is not displaying organic produce, but is in the process of setting up policies and standards for doing so in the future.

“We were mainly working on changing some of the more traditional mindsets that some farmers had which were preventing them from making as much profit as they could from this profession. However, the next steps we are taking are hopefully going to mean that locally produced organic vegetables may soon be available to the public through us in hypermarkets,” Al Marzouqi added.

Fresh dates may be found at discounted prices of up to 40 per cent allowing visitors to stock up on the precious food for the coming months. Additionally, family and children’s activities include palm-tree climbing and visiting the first ever date palm museum that showcases the importance of the tree in the UAE’s history.