With the attendance of 36 farmers and experts in the Date Palm cultivation sector, and representing 14 Arab countries.

Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation organized a virtual lecture, presenting “Maximizing the Added value of Dates”, by Dr.Amgad El-Kady, Executive Director of Food and Agro Industries Technology Center. (FAITC), Ministry of Trade and Industry, Arab Republic of Egypt, on Sunday the 30^th of August, 2020.The lecture was attended by 36 participants, representing 14 Arab countries, among which are members of the Date Palm Friends Society in the UAE, farmers, and Agricultural experts.

Dr. Abdelouahhab Zaid, Secretary General of Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, expressed his appreciation to the extended scientific and professional efforts by Dr. Amgad El-Kady, in promoting the growth and development of the food industry. Highlighting that the dates in general are eligible for international competition, where some varieties already achieved high ranks in the international market. A set of factors were behind this success, and specifically the application of the best agricultural and manufacturing practices which in return reflected on the added value of the Dates. Dr. Zaid also added that this virtual lecture held via Zoom, comes under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, President of the Award’s Board of Trustees, and within the Award’s framework and commitment to spread the scientific knowledge and awareness on the Date Palm Best Practices, and providing technical and scientific advice and support to farmers to help them face any challenges.

From his side, Dr. Amgad El-Kady, presented during the lecture a number of challenges facing the Arabic Dates, which included the increase of wasted dates due to the failure in implementing the full best practice of the cultivation and production, which in return affects the pricing system throughout the value chain and specifically post-harvest transactions, processing and packaging. Dr.Amgad also presented the good practices for post-harvest transactions, and the technology of manufacturing the excess dates and second-class dates that cannot be consumed in their existing condition to various other products. This then works to maximize the added value and economic return of the produced dates, it also helps in extending the shelf life and preservation, diversifying products and providing them throughout the year, improving income and achieving sustainable development. Several recommendations were highlighted, and that would help in the development of the Arabic date’s sector in general.