Date Palm award gives Dh2.3m in cash

Abu Dhabi: Prizes worth Dh2.3 million were presented to winners of the Khalifa International Date Palm Award (KIDPA) at the fourth International Date Palm Conference held yesterday.

The ceremony took place at the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi. The conference was organised by the UAE University in collaboration with KIDPA and the Date Palm Friends Society.

The awards were presented by Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research. He also announced the establishment of the Khalifa Chair for Date Palm.

The winners were announced at a press conference last month. The winners are from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Qatar, Australia and the US.

The first-prize winners received Dh300,000 while those in second place won Dh200,000.

Special recognition was given to Shaikh Abdullah Khalid Al Khalifa from Bahrain, Saeed Mohammad Al Raqabani, and Zuheir Abu Al Adeeb from the UAE for their important role in date palm cultivation.

Dr Abdul Ouahhab Zeid, KIDPA secretary-general and Chairman of the Organising Committee, said the award was a reflection of "the UAE historical heritage where the date palm is an icon of life to the Emiratis and the secret of their existence. This tree is a symbol of what makes them very attached to this land, and represents a source of life."

He said the money awarded to the winners had been provided by the Ministry of Presidential Affairs.

"The award is well-respected in the international community and the UAE will continue to lead the way in the support of regional and international efforts in date palm cultivation, due to its economic importance in fighting hunger and eliminating poverty in many countries," said Dr Linda, Chancellor of the US-based University of California.