https://arab.news/p6quj
Riyadh: The Royal Commission for AlUla has launched a farmers’ market to showcase the region’s vibrant heritage as part of the AlUla Dates Season, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
A highlight of the season, the market at Al-Manshiyah Plaza displays innovative uses of dates in various products, with interactive sessions featuring renowned chefs that celebrate AlUla’s culinary legacy and inspire creative date-infused dishes.
AlUla Dates Season, which began on Sept. 13 and will continue until Nov. 9, is organized in collaboration with various government and private entities.
The dates auction is an integral part of the season and sees a surge in commercial activity, with traders and consumers flocking to purchase large quantities of dates.
The auction plays an important role in fostering business opportunities for farmers and buyers, driving annual date sales.
The auction, held on Fridays and Saturdays, attracts date traders and processing companies.
As part of the festival, an award ceremony will honor participating farmers, with prizes of SR75,000 ($20,000) for the top spot, SR50,000 for second place, and SR30,000 for third.
Winners will be selected based on set criteria, including sales volume and value.
The royal commission emphasizes its commitment to supporting farmers through programs, workshops, and training courses aimed at promoting sustainable practices and increasing productivity.
This initiative aligns with the goal of enhancing the competitiveness of AlUla dates both domestically and regionally, thereby fostering economic development through the agricultural sector.
AlUla yields various types of dates, including medjoul and ambara. Last year‘a dates season saw 600 farmers participate, generating sales of SR13 million.
At the same time, 113,000 tonnes of dates were produced from more than 3 million date palm trees spread over 10,000 hectares in the region.