Abu Dhabi Launches Date Varieties Guide at Liwa Festival

Photo: Abu Dhabi Media Office 

The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) has released a new guide to date varieties. This happened along with the launch of the 21st Liwa Date Festival 2025. The guide is called the Abu Dhabi Date Varieties Guide. It is a detailed book that tells people about the many different types of dates that grow in Abu Dhabi.

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What is this Guide About?

This guide is a special reference book that talks about 61 date varieties found in Abu Dhabi. It explains their features, where they grow best, and what makes each variety unique. It also gives farmers useful information like:

• Which dates grow well in dry, desert areas

• Which dates grow well in humid coastal areas

• When each type of date ripens

• How much each variety can produce

• Tips to improve the quality and quantity of dates

The guide is very detailed so that farmers can read and understand which variety will suit their farm and area. It will also help them know how to grow these varieties better to get good results.

Why Was This Guide Launched?

ADAFSA released this guide to help farmers, visitors, and other people involved in date farming. Their main aim is to support farmers by giving them correct and scientific information about dates and palm farming. They want farmers to:

• Know more about the dates they grow

• Choose varieties that suit their land and weather

• Increase their income by growing the right varieties

• Protect and keep the traditional varieties of Abu Dhabi safe for the future

This guide is a part of ADAFSA’s strategy to promote sustainable agriculture. Sustainable agriculture means farming in a way that does not harm the environment and keeps producing food for many years. ADAFSA wants to make sure that Abu Dhabi remains a leading place for agriculture that is modern, scientific, and eco-friendly.

Where Can People Find This Guide?

The Abu Dhabi Date Varieties Guide will be promoted at ADAFSA's pavilion during the Liwa Date Festival. Visitors to the festival can visit the pavilion and learn about it. The guide will also be:

• Available on ADAFSA’s website for the public

• Distributed to farmers directly as part of awareness programmes

This is to make sure everyone has access to this valuable information. ADAFSA wants farmers, students, visitors, and even tourists to know how important dates are in the UAE.

Some Important Date Varieties in the Guide

The guide talks about many famous date varieties grown in Abu Dhabi. Here are some of them explained in simple words:

1. Fard Dates

• Fard is one of the most common varieties in Abu Dhabi, especially in the Al Ain Region.

• It is a commercial variety, meaning farmers grow it to sell in markets.

• People eat Fard dates when they are fully ripe (called Rutab) and also when they are dry (called Tamer).

• Fard dates are known for their good taste and long shelf life.

2. Dabbas Dates

• Dabbas is another very popular type of date.

• It grows very well in dry, desert areas like the Al Dhafra region.

• Dabbas dates are sweet and small and have high demand in local markets.

• Farmers like growing Dabbas because they are easy to maintain in hot areas.

3. Naghal Dates

• Naghal dates are famous for being an early maturing variety.

• This means they ripen earlier than other types, so farmers can sell them quickly.

• They are mostly eaten when they are fully ripe (Rutab).

• Naghal has a high economic value because of its taste and early ripening.

Why Are Dates Important to Abu Dhabi?

Dates are very important to the people and farmers of Abu Dhabi. Date palms are a symbol of Emirati culture and heritage. They have been grown in the region for thousands of years. Dates:

• Provide healthy food

• Support farmers’ incomes

• Keep the farming culture alive

• Help in achieving food security by giving a steady supply of nutritious fruit

By creating this guide, ADAFSA wants to make sure that all these benefits continue in the future and farmers can grow better quality dates using proper knowledge.

How Does This Guide Help Farmers?

Farmers can use this guide as a technical reference. This means they can read it to understand:

• Which dates will grow better in their farms

• How to take care of these varieties

• How to increase their productivity

• How to maintain the health of palm trees

• How to keep their dates safe from diseases

ADAFSA said that with this knowledge, farmers can improve their productivity and food security. Food security means having enough healthy food for everyone in the country. By growing good quality dates in high quantity, Abu Dhabi can become stronger in food security.

What Did ADAFSA Say?

ADAFSA explained that publishing such guides is a part of their continuous efforts to make Abu Dhabi a leader in sustainable agriculture. They want to keep the farming sector strong and help farmers face challenges like climate change.

They also said that the guide will:

• Help preserve the traditional date varieties of Abu Dhabi

• Increase the economic value of dates grown in the emirate

• Support the vision of Abu Dhabi for comprehensive and sustainable development

This means the guide is not just for farmers. It is for the whole community, so everyone understands the importance of dates in their lives.

How Does This Connect to the Liwa Date Festival 2025?

The Liwa Date Festival is a very big event held every year to celebrate dates and date farming. Many farmers come to show their dates, sell them, and take part in competitions. Visitors come to buy fresh dates, learn about date palm farming, and enjoy cultural programmes.

ADAFSA’s guide launch is happening along with the festival to make sure maximum farmers and visitors know about it. At the festival, people can visit the ADAFSA pavilion to:

• See the guide

• Ask questions from experts

• Learn about modern farming techniques

• Get tips to improve their farms

This way, the festival becomes not just a cultural event but also an educational platform for everyone.

The Abu Dhabi Date Varieties Guide is an important step by ADAFSA to help farmers grow better dates and preserve the traditional varieties of Abu Dhabi. It gives detailed information on 61 types of dates, their features, ripening times, and growing conditions. Farmers can use this guide to improve their productivity and support food security in the emirate. The guide will be available at the Liwa Date Festival 2025 and on ADAFSA's website for everyone to read and learn from.