The 4th International Festival of Sudanese Dates kicked off on Wednesday, 30th November in Khartoum, Sudan which had in participation of 250 farmers from several countries including Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Jordan, Mauritania, Egypt, Libya, United Arab Emirates, and Mexico.

As earlier announced by Imad Idris, the Executive Director of the Sudanese Palm Cultivation Association, the festival is organized by the Khalifa International Prize for Palm Date and Agricultural Innovation of the United Arab Emirates, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

The festival started at the Friendship Congress Hall and included activities such as seminars, lectures and exhibitions at 80 pavilions and a field visit to a number of farms and presentation of prizes for the best farms, varieties and packaging. 

According to the organisers, the festival is aimed to increase the international recognition of Sudanese date and to develop production, marketing and exports. 

According to the International Society for Horticultural Science, Sudan ranks number 8 in the list of top date producing countries with an annual production of about 330,000 tons and a date palm population of about 8 million.