Liwa reinforces its status as a farm heritage hub with Dh8m prizes and family-friendly events.
Abu Dhabi: The 22nd Liwa Dates Festival highlighted the role of heritage events in promoting food security, supporting farmers and preserving the UAE’s rich agricultural traditions. Bringing together agricultural competitions, cultural activities, family entertainment, educational programmes and sustainability initiatives, this year’s festival featured 23 competitions and 295 prizes worth more than Dh8 million, drawing strong participation from Emirati farmers, date growers and fruit producers.
As the festival came to a close, it reaffirmed its status as more than a celebration of the annual date harvest. Over the years, it has evolved into a flagship national event that blends heritage, agriculture, tourism and economic development, while underscoring the palm tree’s enduring significance as a symbol of Emirati identity and a cornerstone of the country’s agricultural future.
Sheikh Mansour commends contributions of Emirati farmers
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the UAE, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, said the 22nd Liwa Dates Festival reflects the nation’s deep appreciation for Emirati farmers and its pride in locally produced agricultural products.
He expressed his appreciation to all those who contributed to the festival’s success, highlighting its role in preserving the legacy of the palm tree, a lasting symbol of generosity, prosperity and the UAE’s rich agricultural heritage.
Sheikh Mansour said the festival’s continued growth reflects the palm tree’s deep-rooted place in Emirati culture while recognising the vital role farmers play in strengthening food security and preserving the nation’s agricultural heritage.
He noted that the 22nd edition attracted strong participation from farmers and agricultural innovators, showcasing the quality of locally grown produce and the UAE’s advances in sustainable farming practices.
Over 10 days, Liwa City in the Al Dhafra Region welcomed thousands of visitors, farmers, producers, and representatives from government and private sector organisations. Marking one of its most diverse editions to date, the festival reflected its steady growth and expanding appeal over more than two decades.
23 competitions and 295 prizes
The festival hosted a broad range of competitions, including 11 date (Mazayna) contests, seven fruit competitions, three Model Farm competitions, the Best Date Harvest Basket competition, and the “Creativity from the Palm Trunk” contest.
A total of 295 prizes worth more than Dh8 million were awarded, making it one of the UAE’s largest prize programmes dedicated to farmers and agricultural producers. The competitions were designed to encourage higher-quality produce, promote improved farming practices and boost local agricultural production.
- Competitions drive higher farming standards
- Date contests promote quality and excellence
- Festival competitions raise the bar for local farming
- High-quality entries reflect growing farming standards
- Date competitions reward quality and innovation
- Festival contests encourage excellence in date cultivation
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Competitions drive higher farming standards
This year’s date competitions drew a strong field of high-quality entries, with judges evaluating participants based on the quality of their produce, adherence to competition criteria and overall farming excellence.
Judges assessed entries based on several criteria, including:
- Fruit quality
- Ripeness
- Colour consistency and uniformity
- Size
- Freedom from defects
- Compliance with good agricultural practices
The Model Farm competitions also encouraged farmers to adopt more efficient management practices, conserve water and enhance productivity.
Winners honoured in major competitions
The festival concluded with the announcement of winners across several of its flagship competitions, recognising excellence in farming and agricultural production.
- Winners announced in Zamli Date Competition
- Top honours awarded in Zamli Date contest
- Zamli Date Competition crowns winning farmers
- Festival recognises standout entries in Zamli Date Competition
- Zamli Date Competition celebrates excellence in date cultivation
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Winners announced in Zamli Date Competition
The organising committee revealed the winners of the Zamli Date Competition, recognising farmers whose entries stood out for their quality and adherence to the competition’s judging criteria.
Zamli Date Competition winners
The top honours in the Zamli Date Competition went to:
- First place: Hamad Qumad Rashid Mohammed Al Mansoori
- Second place: Salham Harmous Saeed Al Mazrouei
- Third place: Humaid Mohammed Mubarak Jarwan Al Shamsi
The competition featured 15 prizes worth a combined Dh397,000, sponsored by Al Foah, a subsidiary of Agthia Group.
Mango competitions
Coinciding with World Mango Day, the festival also hosted two competitions for the best locally grown and mixed-variety mangoes. The contests offered 20 prizes worth a total of Dh234,000, underscoring the festival’s expanding support for a broader range of agricultural products beyond dates.
Agricultural market boosts local farmers
Beyond the competitions, the festival’s agricultural market provided local farmers with a dedicated platform to showcase and sell their produce, including:
The market featured a wide selection of locally produced goods, including:
- Fresh dates and date-based products
- Local honey
- Seasonal fruits
- Vegetables
- Homemade food products
By connecting consumers directly with farmers, the market promoted locally grown produce while supporting agricultural businesses and economic activity across the Al Dhafra Region.
Heritage market celebrates traditional crafts
The Heritage Market offered visitors an insight into the UAE’s rich cultural traditions through displays of time-honoured crafts, including:
- Palm frond weaving
- Al Sadu weaving
- Talli embroidery
- Traditional fish trap (Gargoor) making
- Handmade crafts
- Products crafted from various parts of the palm tree
Skilled artisans also staged live demonstrations, helping preserve these traditional crafts and pass them on to younger generations.
Family and educational activities
The festival also featured a diverse programme of family-friendly and educational activities, including:
- Children’s workshops
- Heritage competitions
- Traditional performances
- Agricultural lectures
- Environmental workshops
- Family-focused activities
- Educational programmes centred on food security and sustainability
Government entities also participated by hosting awareness campaigns and sharing information on public health, food safety, environmental conservation and community responsibility.
Supporting farmers and sustainable agriculture
The festival continued to strengthen the agricultural sector by encouraging higher-quality production, promoting best farming practices, improving farm management, supporting local crop varieties and fostering agricultural diversification.
To streamline participation, the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority introduced online competition registration through the “Falk Al Namous” application, making it easier for farmers to enter contests while improving event management.
Boosting tourism and the local economy
Over the years, the Liwa Dates Festival has evolved into a major driver of tourism and economic activity in the Al Dhafra Region by:
- Supporting small businesses and productive families
- Boosting demand for locally grown produce
- Attracting visitors from across the UAE
- Promoting heritage and agricultural tourism
It also brought together farmers, producers, industry experts and government entities to exchange knowledge, showcase modern farming technologies and encourage innovation across the agricultural sector.
More than a celebration of dates
The 22nd Liwa Dates Festival demonstrated that it has evolved far beyond a competition to identify the country’s finest dates. Today, it serves as a national platform that brings together heritage preservation, food security, agricultural innovation and economic development, while celebrating the palm tree as an enduring symbol of Emirati identity.
With its broad programme of competitions, educational initiatives, cultural activities and strong community participation, the festival continues to cement its reputation as one of the region’s premier agricultural and heritage events. It also reinforces the importance of supporting Emirati farmers as a cornerstone of sustainable food security and preserving the UAE’s rich agricultural legacy for future generations.
