Al Foah Dates Factory is showcasing a unique inheritance of dates at the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival 2014 in Abu Dhabi, which will run till December 12.

The fruit is being grown and packaged locally as a legacy of the UAE’s ancient traditions, said a statement.

Mohamed Al Ghanim Al Mansouri, deputy general manager of Al Foah Dates Factory, said: "Firstly, I am grateful to all those involved in this exceptional cultural event. I wish to thank the festival’s Higher Organizing Committee for this unique opportunity to help the general public - particularly the young generation - experience our heritage through our dates, interacting with new products and innovations in the dates industry."

The festival has become a vital platform for upholding the nation’s customs, and a popular magnet that brings together citizens, residents, tourists and foreign delegates, he said.

This makes it an opportunity to exhibit the entire life cycle of dates from the time they are planted, harvested, packaged and finally displayed on the shelves of retail outlets.

Visitors can touch and taste various types of dates and all aspects of this traditional industry from the moment they walk into the exhibition, said the statement.

Its design is inspired by the date palm, with the trunk, arches and palm fronds that have come to be associated with the company’s iconic logo, it said.

The exhibition visitors can gain comprehensive information about the entire delivery process of dates, in which farmers transport dates from as far as Fujairah through eight dedicated centres nationwide: with three centres in the emirate, four in the Eastern Region and another in Al Dhaid City.

The number of date farms across the country now exceeds 24,000, said Al Mansouri.

Al Foah Dates Factory exports up to 100,000 tonnes per year to Australia, South Africa, China and East Asia, among other markets.

A detailed picture is being given of the manufacturing process through detailed explanation of each stage: from receiving date harvests from farmers, to identification and sorting of the dates in another section of the wing, right down to packaging the dates by harnessing the most advanced technology in the industry - which is also used in the modern production lines.

Meanwhile, festival-goers can also benefit from joint educational sessions on how the agriculture of dates is being elevated through sustainable best practices that maximise the quality of production.

The festival also features a special corner for children, where they can taste different luxury dates and date-based products free from any artificial flavours, colouring or preservatives.

There is also a special theatre where children can be enlightened about everything related to the nutritional benefits of dates, optimal consumption, as well as entertainment events such as painting, henna and other fun activities that fulfil the festival’s goal of combining education with entertainment.

The festival is a platform for farmers to compete, and a competition has been launched to encourage farmers to showcase their new offerings, said Al Mansouri.

The competition has seven categories, including an elite category that in turn has 10 varieties, he added. - TradeArabia News Service