With the attendance of 53 farmers and experts in the Date Palm cultivation sector, and representing 10 Arab countries.

The Date Palm Friends Society in the United Arab Emirates organized its second virtual lecture, presenting “Date Palm Best Practices”, by Eng. Mansoor Al Mansoori from Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, on Wednesday evening the 19th of August, 2020. The lecture was attended by 53 participant, representing 10 Arab countries, among which are members of the Date Palm Friends Society in the UAE, farmers, and Agricultural experts.

Dr. Abdelouahhab Zaid, Executive Director of the Date Palm Friends Society, expressed his appreciation to the extended technical efforts and support by Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority in serving the date palm farmers and producers in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, in coordination with the other competent authorities in the UAE, which includes the Date Palm Friends Society in the UAE with what benefits the date palm farmers and the development of the date production sector. Dr. Zaid also added that this virtual lecture held via Zoom, comes under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Date Palm Friends Society in the UAE, and within the society’s framework and commitment to spread the scientific knowledge and awareness on the Date Palm Best Practices, and providing technical and scientific advice and support to farmers to help them face any challenges.

From his side, Eng. Mansoor Al Mansoori, the lecturer, highlighted during the lecture, the timeframe of the technical distributions across the year as follows: In January: Palm head care consists of removing the arachnids, thorns and old female inflorescences - dressing, fertilization - irrigation. In February: Sprouting - first sand - perforated foliar bag – irrigation, in March: Sprouting - first reduction - perforated paper bag – irrigation, in April: Fertilization - second reduction - spider’s prevention- irrigation, in May: Stroke - rooting - spider’s prevention – irrigation, in June: Clamp bagging - irrigation, in July: Polycystic sac-genie – irrigation, in August: Drying - storing dates – irrigation, in September: Drying - storing dates – irrigation, in October: Drying - storing dates – irrigation, in November: Palm head care (removal of arachnids, thorns, and old female inflorescences - redress) - impregnation - fertilization – irrigation and in December: Palm head care (removal of arachnids, thorns, and old female inflorescences with frustration) - influx - prevention of spiders - irrigation.

The lecture was an opportunity to exchange ideas and opinions between farmers, participating experts, and the lecturer, who presented a detailed explanation on the Date Palm Best Practices in the United Arab Emirates.