Addis ababa: Ethiopia is gearing up to host its first International Date Palm Festival from August 26 to 28, 2025, with the goal of unlocking the country’s significant potential for date palm cultivation. The event aims to create a dynamic environment for industry growth and collaboration.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, Agriculture State Minister Meles Mekonnen briefed journalists on the inaugural event, emphasizing Ethiopia’s immense potential for date palm cultivation and its commitment to diversifying and modernizing the agricultural sector. The festival, set to be held in Semera City of the Afar region, marks a significant milestone in Ethiopia’s agricultural development. It reflects a partnership with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that has spanned more than fifty years.
The festival is organized in collaboration with the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, affiliated with the Erth Zayed Philanthropies Foundation and the UAE Presidential Court. It promotes sustainable farming practices and food security by leveraging the UAE’s agricultural expertise and innovations.
Meles stated that Ethiopia’s ambitious Green Legacy initiative focuses on climate-resilient agriculture, noting that date palm cultivation remains underdeveloped despite favorable growing conditions. The festival aims to change this by increasing both the quality and quantity of production.
Key activities during the festival will include an exhibition of date palm varieties, a scientific symposium, visits to date farms, and experience sharing among stakeholders. The event is anticipated to draw 40 international and national partners from ten countries, including the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Pakistan, Mauritania, Syria, Mexico, Uzbekistan, and Saudi Arabia. Additionally, around 450 regional participants, including senior government officials, representatives from research institutions, community leaders, youth, women, and various community groups, are expected, bringing the total number of participants to approximately 500.
Abdelouahhab Alboukhari, Secretary General of the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, expressed enthusiasm for the event, which aims to bring together date growers, researchers, investors, and experts from ten countries to Semera. The festival aligns with UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s vision of fostering international cooperation and knowledge exchange in agriculture.
The festival seeks to enhance the economic value of date palms, increase Ethiopia’s global market competitiveness, facilitate partnerships, and open export channels. UAE Embassy Acting Charg© d’Affaires, Rashed Abdulla Alshehhi, emphasized the festival’s role in strengthening UAE-Ethiopia cooperation in agriculture, trade, and sustainable development. He reiterated the UAE’s commitment to scientific collaboration and agricultural innovation, welcoming all stakeholders to join this pioneering initiative.
Yasin Ali, Head of the Afar Regional State Agriculture and Natural Resource Development Bureau, stated that date palm production suffers from low output and quality due to traditional farming methods. He expressed hope that the festival will provide a crucial platform for introducing advanced farming techniques and technologies, enabling local producers to expand beyond subsistence levels and tap into foreign markets.