Ethiopia Determined to Tap Into Its Potential for Date Palm

Addis Ababa, August 22, 2025 (ENA)— Ethiopia is getting ready to host its first International Date Palm Festival from August 26 to 28, 2025 aimed at unlocking the country’s significant potential for date palm cultivation by creating a dynamic environment for industry growth and collaboration.

Briefing journalists today, Agriculture State Minister Meles Mekonnen said the inaugural event will highlight Ethiopia’s immense potential for date palm cultivation and its commitment to diversifying and modernizing the agricultural sector.

 According to him, the festival, which will be held in Semera City of Afar region, signifies a major milestone in Ethiopia’s agricultural development, reflecting a partnership with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that spans more than fifty years.

 Organized in collaboration with the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation—affiliated with the Erth Zayed Philanthropies

Foundation and the UAE Presidential Court—the festival promotes sustainable farming practices and food security by leveraging UAE’s agricultural expertise and innovations, it was learned.

 Stating that Ethiopia’s ambitious Green Legacy initiative focuses on climate-resilient agriculture, Meles said date palm cultivation in Ethiopia remains

underdeveloped despite favorable growing conditions.

 The festival aims at changing this by increasing both the quality and quantity of

production.

Key activities during the festival include an exhibition of date palm varieties, a scientific symposium, visits to date farms, and experience sharing among stakeholders.

“We anticipate the participation of 40 international and national partners from ten countries (UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Pakistan, Mauritania, Syria, Mexico,

Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia); alongside 450 regional participants, includingsenior government officials, representatives from research institutions, community leaders, youth, women, and various community groups. This brings the total number of participants to around 500.”

Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation Secretary General, Abdelouahhab Alboukhari expressed enthusiasm for bringing together date growers, researchers, investors, and experts from ten countries to Semera.

The event reflects UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s vision of fostering international cooperation and knowledge exchange in agriculture, he said.

The secretary general said the festival seeks to enhance the economic value of date palms, increase Ethiopia’s global market competitiveness, facilitate partnerships, and open export channels.

 On his part, UAE Embassy Acting Chargé d'Affaires, Rashed Abdulla Alshehhi, emphasized the festival’s role in strengthening UAE-Ethiopia cooperation in agriculture, trade, and sustainable development.

Alshehhi reiterated the UAE’s ongoing commitment to scientific collaboration and agricultural innovation, welcoming all stakeholders to join this pioneering initiative.

 Afar Regional State Agriculture and Natural Resource Development Bureau Head, Yasin Ali, stated that date palm production suffers from low output and quality due to traditional farming methods.

 He expressed his hope that the festival provides a crucial platform for introducing advanced farming techniques and technologies, enabling local producers to expand beyond subsistence levels and tap into foreign markets.