Ammon News - The Association of Agricultural Research Institutions in the Near East and North Africa (AARINENA) has announced the establishment of a platform for research, technology and innovation for the integrated production system of the Date Palm, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The announcement came on Monday during a virtual scientific lecture on the Association’s efforts in the field of Date Palm cultivation and production, hosted by the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation.

In remarks at the lecture, AARINENA Executive Secretary Rida Shibli highlighted the importance of the platform in coordinating the efforts of member states at the regional and international levels, as it is an interactive hub for multiple stakeholders, including researchers, producers, financiers, farmers associations, private industries, investors and government agencies to enhance the integrated production system of the date palm in the Near East and North Africa region, to maintain high competitiveness in both the regional and global markets.

"The platform will serve as a center for information and knowledge that effectively connects stakeholders and share research results, technologies and available innovations related to the date palm production value chain. The platform will also play an important role in technology transfer and enhancing various capabilities for people of interest and beneficiaries using ICT solutions.," he added.

Shibli also indicated that the AARINENA, in partnership with the FAO, will facilitate the implementation of the platform's activities, which include identification of research priorities, available technologies, innovations and technical practices related to the date palm value chain. "Accordingly, a regional model of the research, technology and innovation platform will be created and operated, including the monitoring and evaluation system for the integrated date palm production system, and this model will mainly focus on expanding and sharing promising research results, technologies and innovations to small producers and interested stakeholders," he said.

Shibli concluded the lecture by highlighting the great role played by the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation in supporting and developing the date palm cultivation sector and the date production, through the organizing of Jordan International Date Palm Festival, Sudan International Date Palm Festival, and Egypt International Date Palm Festival and the accompanying activities and events. "It actively contributed to the increase of the reputation of the Arab dates and the volume of exports, in addition to the series of international conferences organized by the Award’s General Secretariat," he added.