Abu dhabi: In celebration of Arab Palm Day, observed annually on 15th September, the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) has reaffirmed its dedication to advancing the palm sector and promoting sustainable agricultural practices across the Emirate.
According to Emirates News Agency, ADAFSA continues to support local farmers through targeted programmes aimed at enhancing date quality, adopting environmentally sound pest control methods, transitioning towards organic cultivation, and encouraging the adoption of high-yield commercial varieties. ADAFSA's strategic initiatives include the Integrated Palm Pest Management Programme and the Palm and Date Best Practices Programme, reflecting the Authority's commitment to integrating the cultural and strategic significance of the palm tree within the national food security agenda.
Since the beginning of 2024, ADAFSA has implemented extensive pest control operations benefiting over 6,592,272 palm trees. The Authority has captured 344,900 red palm weevils and 148,300 stalk and stem borers using pheromone and light traps deployed across the Emirate's farms. Additionally, targeted treatments have been applied to 2,278,698 palm trees against pests like the lesser date moth and date palm dust mites, significantly reducing their impact on date production.
ADAFSA has also conducted field visits to model palm farms to highlight best agricultural practices and promote them via social media channels, encouraging wider adoption. Public awareness efforts include lectures in various majlis of the Emirate and participation in regional and international festivals to elevate the status of the palm sector locally and globally.
The Authority's agricultural extension teams provide continuous guidance to farm workers on maintaining pheromone and light traps, ensuring their effectiveness in preventing pest outbreaks. ADAFSA remains focused on aligning farming practices with Abu Dhabi's vision for sustainable agricultural development, emphasizing enhancing the market value of dates through improved cultivation techniques.
In support of agricultural research, ADAFSA is developing specialised programmes to assess palm productivity across the Emirate, studying the impact of different pollen varieties on date yield and quality. These trials aim to refine cultivation methods and promote sectoral innovation. The Authority also actively supports and participates in local exhibitions and international events dedicated to palm and date production, offering technical expertise and insights.
To further bolster the industry, Al Foah Company, backed by ADAFSA, has launched alternative trading channels for dates via the digital platform eZad. This marketplace allows producers to market their dates locally and internationally through virtual and physical auctions, providing a vital new avenue for Emirati dates to reach global markets and ensure a sustainable future for the palm and date sector.