Al dhaid: The 9th edition of the Al Dhaid Date Festival is set to commence tomorrow at Expo Al Dhaid, with its official inauguration scheduled for Thursday, running until July 27. Organised by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), this year’s edition sees extensive participation from leading palm farmers and date producers across the UAE, alongside various governmental and private agricultural entities and organisations.
According to Emirates News Agency, the Al Dhaid Date Festival remains a crucial agricultural and commercial event, integral to Sharjah’s cultural and economic identity. It seeks to promote palm cultivation and preserve the UAE’s rich heritage. The festival is a strategic platform aimed at encouraging farmers to adopt the best agricultural practices to enhance the quality of local produce, contributing to the UAE’s food security and sustainable agricultural growth.
The agenda of this year’s edition includes a series of competitions designed to incentivise excellence among farmers through significant prizes. Starting tomorrow, contests for homegrown dates, best lemons, figs, and ‘Ratb Al Kharaif Beauty’ will occur. Thursday will feature the ‘Khneizi Dates Beauty Contest,’ followed by the ‘Al-Khalas Dates Beauty Contest’ on July 25. On Saturday, July 26, the ‘Shishi Dates’ competition will take place, with the festival’s concluding day, Sunday, July 27, announcing the winners of the ‘General Dhaid Elite Dates’ and ‘Northern Emirates Dhaid Elite Dates’ competitions.
The Organising Committee of the Al Dhaid Date Festival has set general conditions and specific entry requirements for participation in this year’s dates competitions. These include using locally produced dates for the 2025 season, grown only in the participants’ own farms. Participants must present dates at an optimal ripeness stage, free from insect infestations, dead insects, or any apparent defects. Entry weights are set at four kilogrammes per traditional basket for most categories, with distinct criteria for elite categories and lemon and fig contests.
Participation in the homegrown dates contest is limited to women from the Northern Emirates, while the ‘Ratb Al Kharaif Beauty’ Contest is restricted to children from Sharjah’s Central Region, aiming to maximise community engagement and promote inclusivity. This year’s festival will host a wide range of activities with active involvement from local family enterprises presenting heritage-themed products inspired by palm trees, supporting their commercial growth and strengthening their role in the economic and social landscape. This aligns with the Year of Community in the UAE, fostering a spirit of social participation.
The festival is also expected to welcome high-profile visitors and official delegations evaluating advancements in the domestic agricultural industry. A daily series of educational seminars will be hosted during the festival’s evening sessions from Thursday to Sunday. Industry specialists and palm farmers will provide knowledge-sharing sessions, complemented by advisory workshops designed to disseminate best practices in palm tree care and support the adoption of modern technologies for productivity and quality enhancement.