Ammon News - H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, praised the Award’s General Secretariat efforts and keenness to translate the vision of the UAE’s wise leadership in disseminating specialized scientific knowledge, with the aim of developing the date palm cultivation and agricultural innovation sectors, as part of its strategic objectives, as well as benefiting from various national and regional experiences to develop the date palm cultivation and production, in accordance to the best international practices.

This was confirmed by Dr. Abdelouahhab Zaid, Secretary General of Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, on the occasion of the issuance of two new scientific books, the first book entitled "Dates Manufacturing " by Prof. Samir Al-Shaker, an international expert in the production and manufacture of dates, and the second book entitled "Organic Agriculture" by Prof. Dr. Magdy Mohamed Kenawy, Senior Consultant of Plant Protection. Dr. Zaid then indicated that the “Dates Manufacturing” book includes several basic topics focusing on the economic and technical feasibility study of establishing a date factory, the technical study stage of the project, and procedures to be followed during the establishment phase. This is in addition to the conditions and standards to be taken into account in the design of buildings and facilities associated with it, as well as the stages of preparation (receipt, weighing, inspection, evaluation, fumigation, storage and cooling of dates, production stages (bulk dates, pressed dates, premium dates, packaging) and many others.

As for the “Organic Agriculture” book, Dr. Zaid, then added that this book is of great importance, as it presents the history, principles, and objectives of organic agriculture, as well as the fundamental differences between traditional agricultural systems and organic agriculture. It also presents the mechanisms of transformation from traditional agriculture to organic agriculture, the environmental benefits of organic agriculture, the rules and standards governing such agriculture, as well as fertilization, pest control and weed control strategies in organic agriculture.

In appreciation of this role, the Award’s General Secretariat seeks on regular basis to disseminate knowledge and empower the target groups, through the issuing of specialized scientific books on various topics related to this sector. As the “Dates Manufacturing” and the "Organic Agriculture" books come within this context, because of their importance in the development of the date palm cultivation sector in date producing countries.