International dates festival in Amman to kick off on October 21

AMMAN — Jordan produces some 14 per cent of the world’s Medjoul dates, Minister of Agriculture Khaled Hneifat said on Wednesday.

The minister made his remarks during a press conference to announce the activitiesof the third international dates festival scheduled for October 21 in Amman, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Known as “Medjoul”, the Jordanian date or “king of dates” is a popular variety famous for its high quality and sweet taste.

The event is organised with the support of the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, the minister said. “The festival affirms the depth of relations between Jordan and the UAE,” the Jordan News Agency, Petra, quoted the minister as saying.

Secretary General of the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation Abdel Wahab Zayed said that the international festival was organised in tandem with the success of the award in other Arab countries.

President of the Jordan Dates Association Anwar Haddad said that the award will have an added value to the Kingdom's agriculture industry, notably date production, lauding UAE's support for palms sector.

The festival will feature a symposium that will host more than 20 researchers from around the world to present the latest research developments.

The event will witness the launch of the third edition of the Jordanian date competition, the winners of which will be honoured during the festival.