Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, the fourth edition of the Al Dhafra Dates Festival and Auction commenced today in Zayed City, Al Dhafra, running through 26 October.
Organized by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority in strategic partnership with the Serh Group, the festival features 21 competitions with 173 prizes totaling more than AED 5.559 million. Events include date mazayna (quality-based competitions) and contests for honey, cooking, date packaging, painting, and photography.
The Kingdom of Morocco has been named Guest of Honour for this year’s edition, highlighting the strong bilateral relations between the UAE and Morocco, particularly in agriculture. A dedicated Moroccan Date Village will showcase and sell premium Moroccan dates to visitors.
A key feature of the festival is the daily date auction, where Emirati dates are displayed and bid upon by visitors and buyers seeking high-quality local produce. The event also includes a Honey Village designed to support local producers, beekeepers, and honey manufacturers, promoting domestic honey production and offering visitors a chance to explore different varieties of Emirati honey.
The festival schedule is enriched with cultural, entertainment, and educational activities, including traditional art performances, photography and art exhibitions, heritage craft displays, and workshops and lectures tailored for various age groups. Retail outlets will offer dates, date-derived products, and agricultural tools.
Several government and private institutions are participating in interactive awareness programs for farmers and visitors, showcasing services and innovations in the agricultural sector.
–Input WAM
