Local dates festival draws 50,000 visitors

Doha: Ninth Local Fresh Dates Festival 2024 sold out over 240 tonnes of fresh dates, 10 percent more compared to the last year. The 12 day event fr...

Doha: Ninth Local Fresh Dates Festival 2024 sold out over 240 tonnes of fresh dates, 10 percent more compared to the last year.

The 12-day event from July 23 to August 3 attracted over 50,000 visitors including tourists. The festival was organised by the Ministry of Municipality’s Agricultural Affairs Department in coordination with Souq Waqif management. The total fresh dates sold during the festival amounted to 240,172 kilogrammes. Khalas variety witnessed the largest sale with 105,333 kilogrammes, followed by Khunaizi with 45,637 kilogrammes. Shishi and Barhi dates shared 42,752 kilogrammes and 27,260 kilogrammes respectively. The sale of other varieties reached 19,190 kilogrammes.

Director of the Agricultural Affairs Department, Yousef Khalid Al Khulaifi, said this year’s festival was distinguished by a wide public turnout in light of the great interest the state pays to supporting local production and developing the agricultural sector.

The sale of fresh date increased to 240 tonnes this year, up from 220 tonnes in 2023, recording 10 a percent growth rate.

He said the festival was held in line with date harvesting season, with the aim of supporting farm owners and those interested in palm cultivation and exchanging experiences.