Latest news with #NationalCenterForPalmsAndDates
Arab News
5 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Otaiqah season boosts date industry, culture
RIYADH: The fourth Otaiqah Dates Season has been launched to promote Saudi Arabia's date industry, which contributes around 12 percent to the country's agricultural gross domestic product and exports to more than 113 countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday. Held in Riyadh's Otaiqah Central Market, the event is organized by Riyadh Development Company in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and the National Center for Palms and Dates, and supported by Riyadh Municipality. The Culinary Arts Commission and the Saudi Tourism Authority, through the Visit Saudi platform, are also participating. Running for four months during the date harvest, it is the Kingdom's longest seasonal date market, bringing together traders, farmers, and consumers from across Saudi regions. A dedicated children's area offers educational and recreational activities such as palm planting, workshops, and interactive plays. Additional features include cultural performances and food trucks offering traditional dishes in a community setting.
Arab News
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Dates carnival to boost business in Buraidah
BURAIDAH: The Buraidah Dates Carnival launched on Friday in the heart of Date City, Buraidah. Organized by the National Center for Palms and Dates and the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and held under the supervision of the Qassim governorate, the carnival will run until Oct. 9. Farmers and traders are showcasing more than 100 varieties of Qassim dates, including renowned types such as Sukkari, Barhi, and Saqi. The carnival offers a rich lineup of activities and events, including displays of manufacturing industries, contributions from productive families, palm-themed handicrafts, heritage and poetry evenings, and performances by traditional folk groups. A dedicated children's area with drawing activities is also featured, along with a wide array of programs tailored to engage and entertain all segments of society. Notably, the previous edition of the Buraidah Dates Carnival generated sales of nearly SR3.2 billion ($85 million), with an average of 2,000 vehicles transporting dates daily. The event also attracted over 800,000 visitors, reflecting its growing popularity and economic impact.
Arab News
15-07-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Diriyah Dates Season celebrates sector's growth and heritage
RIYADH: Diriyah Gov. Prince Fahd bin Saad bin Abdullah has praised the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture for developing the date production sector in the Kingdom and enhancing the quality of dates as a national product. He highlighted the ministry's support programs for farmers and initiatives that add value to dates, aligning with Vision 2030 goals, the Saudi Press Agency reported. His remarks came during the inauguration of the Diriyah Dates Season and accompanying exhibition, which runs until July 24. The event, organized by the National Center for Palms and Dates, aims to boost the sale of Saudi dates locally and globally, and provide an insight into Diriyah's heritage through cultural and social activities. The exhibition features booths for date vendors, processed date products, palm by-products and items from family-run cottage industries. It also has restaurants, cafes, food trucks, workshops for adults and children, a date auction zone and a horse parade. The Ministry of Culture is also represented with a booth showcasing artisans specializing in palm-based crafts as part of the Year of Handicrafts. The Kingdom's palm and date sector is growing rapidly. According to figures from the General Authority for Statistics production surpassed 1.9 million tonnes in 2024, with SR1.7 billion ($453 million) worth of dates exported to 133 countries, up significantly from the previous year. This growth reflects the Kingdom's strong production capacity and government efforts to improve quality, expand global outreach and develop supply chains.
Arab News
20-06-2025
- General
- Arab News
Pesticides workshop held in AlUla
ALULA: A workshop, titled Safe Handling of Palm and Date Pest Pesticides, was held on Friday in the AlUla Governorate. The event, which was organized by the National Center for Palms and Dates, in collaboration with the Royal Commission for AlUla, took place in the agricultural sector of the commission's headquarters. The workshop targeted farm owners, agricultural workers, and those interested in the sector. It aimed to raise awareness about safe pesticide use while enhancing efficiency in agricultural pest control in a way that improves production quality while ensuring environmental safety. The workshop was part of a series of different guidance programs and workshops implemented by the National Center for Palms and Dates throughout the year in many regions of the Kingdom. They bid to support the agricultural sector's development and enhance sustainability practices.
