Mexico – Abu Dhabi, 17^th June 2026

Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation (KIADPAI), in collaboration with the Mejhoul International Network (MIN) and the Sonora State University (UES), Mexico, participated in organizing 3^rd Session of the 2^nd International Training Course in Date Palm, which was successfully held on the 17^th of June 2026 at the Academic Unit Business Center in San Luis Río Colorado, Sonora, Mexico, with the participation of approximately 50 professionals and stakeholders from the date palm sector.

The training course brought together date palm growers, researchers, academics, agricultural professionals, students, and representatives of the date palm production sector. The event focused on the theme:

“Plant Health in Date Palm: Risk Management to Protect Quality, Safety, and Commercial Value.”

The program covered several key scientific and technical topics, including agroecological weed management, emerging phytosanitary threats affecting date palm plantations, pest monitoring and reporting systems, preventive management strategies, and practical experiences in plant health risk management.

The course contributed to raising awareness among farmers and producers about the importance of maintaining orchard hygiene, implementing preventive phytosanitary measures, and promptly reporting pest occurrences to ensure rapid response and containment. It also strengthened technical knowledge related to sustainable management practices and provided a platform for the exchange of expertise among farmers, researchers, and plant health specialists.

Participants emphasized the importance of coordination and cooperation among farmers, technical experts, and plant health authorities in addressing current challenges facing the date palm cultivation industry. They also highlighted that knowledge exchange and collaboration are essential pillars for ensuring the long-term sustainability of this vital sector.

The training program also helped strengthen cooperation among academic institutions, government institutions, and the date production sector in Mexico, supporting ongoing efforts to protect, develop, and sustain the date palm industry over the long term.

This activity forms part of the joint efforts undertaken by Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation and its international partners to promote scientific knowledge, enhance technical capacities, and build strategic international partnerships aimed at supporting the development of the date palm and agricultural innovation sectors worldwide.