Khalifa International Award for Date Palm launched

Abu Dhabi: UAE Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research has announced the launch of the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm on Monday during a ceremony held at Emirates Palace.

The prize comes in keeping with the framework of the government's development plans which has placed the establishment of a date production industry as one of its priorities.

Under the leadership of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, there have been continuous efforts to increase agricultural productivity and make better use of all available resources.

Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan said, "We take great pride that this prize is truly international in scope and aims at rewarding efforts of prominent researchers, growers, and centres in the field of date palms.

"We are also very pleased that this prize will help emphasise the importance of the date palm in the life of individuals and societies."

"The prize underscores an important fact: that the date palm occupies a very special place in the history and traditions of our region and in particular, that this important tree is at the heart of agricultural development in the UAE," he said.

He pointed that this agricultural development was led by the founder of our country, the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

"He was greatly interested in the palm tree, always seeking better ways for its cultivation, always helping to develop new forms and varieties. He was well aware of the important social and economic value of the palm tree and was committed to reaping all of its benefits."

Shaikh Nahyan said it will be a prize that will symbolise UAE's contributions to high achievement and excellence in the field of date palms.

"It will also help show not only the important place of the date palm in the history and traditions of society, but its place in its future, as well. It will be a prize that supports research and rewards the efforts of prominent individuals and institutions involved. It will be a prize that promotes wider societal interest in the palm tree on the national, regional and international scene."

The Award has been divided into three categories: Research, Studies and Technologies; Best Producer for individual and/or institutions; Influential Figure(s) in the Date Palm Industry.

Jacques Diouf, Director General of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and member of the board of trustees, says, "The date palm, cited in the Quran, is the most important tree for all the populations in the region. For centuries it has represented a remarkable source of survival. It is an integral part of the regional culture."

"Thanks to the late Shaikh Zayed, there are now 40 million date palms in the United Arab Emirates. This is the largest production capacity in the whole region" he said.

Diouf said FAO is promoting a network for exchange and dissemination of information, and announced the imminent opening of an FAO sub-regional office in the UAE which will be tasked with coordinating and responding to requests for technical assistance.

Honours: Selection process

Prize money

Insight: Arabian Gulf origins

Date palms originated around the Arabian Gulf, and have been cultivated since ancient times from Mesopotamia to prehistoric Egypt, possibly as early as 4,000 BC. Archaeological evidence of date cultivation in eastern Arabia in 6,000 BC has been noted.

Date Palm is dioecious - a species having separate male and female plants. They can grow in arid environments, where they adapt to heat and can tolerate soils in which other trees might not survive.

It is naturally wind pollinated but in modern commercial orchards they are manually pollinated. Natural pollination occurs with about an equal number of male and female plants but with assistance through manual pollination one male can pollinate 100 females.

Date palms bear fruits after about 7 years after plantation and produce viable crops for commercial harvest after 10 years. Mature dates can produce 80-120 kg.

The trees can reach a height of 30 metres while the fruit known as dates which is oval-cylindrical can be 3-7 cm long, and 2-3 cm diameter, and when unripe, range from bright red to bright yellow in colour, depending on variety. It is considered a staple food in the Middle East.

Dates ripen in four stages, which are known throughout the world by their Arabic names kimri (unripe), khalal (full-size, crunchy), rutab (ripe, soft), tamr (ripe, sun-dried). A 100 gram portion of fresh dates is a premium source of vitamin C and supplies 230 kcal (960 kJ) of energy.

Most commonly found dates are:

Other types of dates found in the UAE and Oman are:

Naghal, manzaj, manhi, qashkantarah, farah (early crops), barni, qashtabaq, handhal amd nebselli (mid-summer crops) khasab, zabad, hilali, (late crops).