Al dhafra: Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, the 22nd edition of the Liwa Rutab (semi-ripe dates) Festival is set to commence in Liwa, Al Dhafra Region, from July 14 to 23. The festival promises an engaging lineup of 23 competitions, with 295 prizes collectively valued at more than AED8 million.
According to Emirates News Agency, Obaid Khalfan Al Mazrouei, Executive Director of the Festivals and Events Sector at the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, announced that the festival will include 11 rutab competitions, seven fruit competitions, and three model farm competitions that encompass the Eastern and Western Mahadir of Al Dhafra and Al Dhafra cities. Additional highlights include the Best Rutab Basket Competition and the Palm Trunk Creativity Competition.
Beyond competitions, the festival will host a range of attractions such as a rutab and agricultural products market, a heritage market, and a traditional crafts corner. Visitors can also enjoy folk arts performances, a family corner, and attend awareness lectures and workshops. Both government and private sector entities, alongside strategic partners, are expected to participate.
The Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority has reiterated its dedication to the ongoing development of agricultural festivals, aligning with its mission to support the agricultural sector. The authority aims to encourage innovative agricultural practices and promote environmental sustainability, ensuring the growth and development of national resources in line with international standards.
The Liwa Rutab Festival is seen as a crucial platform to support farmers, helping them improve production and enhance the quality of Emirati rutab and agricultural products. This initiative is expected to bolster the competitiveness of local produce and ensure the sustainability of the agricultural sector.
To streamline the participation process, the Authority has introduced online registration for all competitions through the Falak Al Namoos smart application. This app provides services for registration, application tracking, and access to regulations, schedules, results, announcements, and the latest news.
