Al-Foah Company expects dates harvest of 80,000 tons

Abu Dhabi, July 26, 2010 (WAM)- Announcing the start of the dates marketing season in the Eastern Region and Northern Emirates, Dr. Karim Mohyeldin Saeed, the CEO of Al-Foah Company, said that some 80,000 tons of dates are expected to be received from farmers during the current farming season, an increase of 5,000 tons from the harvest of last year's season.
He told a press conference yesterday that cold stores with a gross capacity of 50,000 tons were ready to receive dates from about 16,000 dates farmers across the country through well-equipped centres from July till the end of November. About 55 loading/unloading quays, he added, had been fitted with advanced equipment to accelerate the handling and forwarding crates collected from farmers by 75 electric cranes and handlers.
Mohyeldin said that the governmental subsidies to date producers increased from Dh495 million during the marketing season of 2009 to Dh550 million for the new season of 2010 with an increase of Dh 55 million.
He stressed that the marketing policy remains the same in terms of dates prices and the general criteria of collecting all types of dates. General Criteria -- Applicable to all types and as follows: Not more than 7% of physical defects, deformity, dirt, dust or insects infected, whether dead or alive, not more than 1% of rotten or acidic dates, humidity level between 10% to 16%, different types not to be mixed and crops of the previous year are not permitted to be marketed. .
The farmers were classified according to the average amount of dates they marketed over the previous three seasons 2007-2009, taking into account an annual 15 per cent increment for each variety on the productivity.
''The re-classification of farmers is expected to increase income of 81 per cent of farmers and spur them to improve quality of varieties of dates they cultivate in their farms,'' he added.
''The Company's policy concentrates on the farmer as he is a vital axis for the efforts of increasing productivity and improving dates quality which rose from 32% in 2006 to 54% last year,'' he indicated.
The farmer is considered the backbone of the development of the palm industry in the country and the main axis to improve the quality of dates. Thus, supporting the farmer by meeting his needs is one of the most important priorities that Al Foah Company has made it the subject of its interests.
Al Foah believes that the success of this economic sector is based on the successful farmer who provides high-quality dates that guarantees an internationally unique image of the United Arab Emirates.
Al Foah Company is undertaking a paramount role in developing this vital sector so that it may become a successful economic beam in the UAE.
With a vision to bring the remarkableness of dates into the daily life of every person around the globe, the company is seeking to build a global Arabian date brand, confirming to the world the UAE's position as the centre of Arabian innovation and its leadership of the Arabian Renaissance.
Al Foah is redefining and bringing to the world an ancient and remarkable food, with proven life-sustaining benefits and a beloved taste, in new and innovative forms relevant to contemporary life, contributing to more balanced nutrition.
Its preeminent quality dates of abundant varieties, grown according to the highest agricultural standard, provide sustainable work and income for tens of thousands of people in farming communities.
Al Foah is committed to improving lives through production innovation, and better nutrition as well as sustainable agriculture. – Emirates News Agency, WAM