Al Dhaid Date Festival kicks off with strong participation and cultural flair

Sharjah: The 9th edition of the Al Dhaid Date Festival, organised by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), opened to a vibrant start on Thursday at Expo Al Dhaid.

Running from July 23 to 27 , the annual event has drawn in leading date producers, palm farmers from across the UAE, and representatives from 15 agricultural companies, alongside key government and private sector stakeholders, and home-based businesses.

High-level attendance at opening ceremony

The official launch was attended by several dignitaries, including Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of SCCI; Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE); Dr Mohammed Al Hammadi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Food Diversity Sector at MOCCAE; and Salem Ali Al Muhairi, Chairman of the Sharjah City Municipal Council.

Also in attendance were Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General of SCCI; Sultan Al Shamsi, Director of the National Agriculture Centre; Mohammad Musabah Al Tunaiji, General Coordinator of the Festival; along with municipal council heads from Sharjah’s Central and Eastern regions, senior officials, and representatives from participating government entities.

Following the ribbon-cutting, officials toured the venue, interacting with exhibitors and farmers who showcased a wide variety of dates and fruit, while sharing insights into cultivation techniques and quality control.

Celebrating heritage and Innovation

The opening day featured live competitions, cultural programmes, and heritage-themed entertainment, highlighting the deep-rooted traditions of palm farming in the UAE. Government entities were honoured for their support, and early competition winners were recognised in an official ceremony.

In the evening, a seminar led by agricultural experts delved into the science and heritage of palm cultivation in Sharjah, exploring both traditional methods and modern innovations that are enhancing productivity and sustainability.

A platform for knowledge exchange

In his address, Abdallah Al Owais praised the festival's evolution over nine successful editions, calling it both a cultural hallmark and a vital economic platform. “This event has become a cornerstone of support for hundreds of farmers in Sharjah and the wider UAE. It encourages competition, boosts production standards, and facilitates knowledge exchange across the sector,” he said.

Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi echoed these sentiments, stressing the festival’s importance to national food security goals. “The Al Dhaid Date Festival supports sustainable agriculture and climate-smart farming. Empowering farmers to adopt innovative practices is key to achieving long-term food security in the UAE,” he stated.

Competitions and community engagement

This year’s edition features an expanded list of competitions, including popular varieties such as Khneizi, Khalas, and Shishi, along with two elite categories: ‘General Al Dhaid Elite Dates’ and ‘Special Al Dhaid Elite Dates’ for Northern Emirates farmers.

Other contests target specific community groups, such as a women’s homegrown date competition and a children’s ‘Ratb Al Kharaif Beauty’ contest, in addition to red fig and local lemon categories.

All entries are required to be defect-free, locally grown in 2025, and harvested from the participant’s own farm — standards that reflect the festival’s commitment to excellence through its newly launched “Busharat Al-Qeith” initiative.

Empowering small producers

Beyond competitions, the festival offers a strong platform for home-based entrepreneurs to showcase heritage-inspired innovations.

A series of workshops and expert-led seminars aim to equip farmers with best practices and the latest agricultural technologies — further reinforcing the festival’s dual mission of cultural preservation and modernisation, all in line with the UAE’s ‘Year of Community’.