Date Palm Project

ABOUT US

Date palm has been deeply rooted in the Arabian Peninsula (AP) region's economy, history and culture since ancient times. The AP region produces 1.9 million tones, which represents 29% of the global production. The estimated area of date palm in AP is 365 thousand hectares, representing 33% of global acreage occupied by date palm. Date palm cultivation in the GCC countries has a long history, yet the research efforts extended for the development of this important crop are insufficient.

Period of Implementation

Jan 1, 2004 - Dec 31, 2018

Total Budget

USD 5,999,915.00

Project team

Mustapha El Bouhssini

ICARDA

Dr. Mustapha El-Bouhssini earned his Ph.D. in entomology fro... see more

Khaled El-Shamaa

ICARDA

Khaled Al-Shamaa is a Research Database Manager and Senior A... see more

Muhammad Irfan

ICARDA

Boubaker Dhehibi

ICARDA

Dr. Boubaker Dhehibi is an agricultural resource economist.... see more

Mohamed Ben-Salah

ICARDA

Dr. Mohamed Ben Salah is a date palm specialist and coordina... see more

Partners

Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture - MoEWA

Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources - PAAFR

United Arab Emirate University - UAUE

Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (Ministry of Environment and Water) - MoCC&E (MoEW)

Ministry of Municipality and Environment - MoME

Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning - Kingdom of Bahrain

International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas - ICARDA

Donors

The cooperation council for the arab states of the gulf (Gulf Cooperation Council) - GCC

OUR IMPACT

Goals

The project goal is to develop data palm production systems in the GCC countries, utilizing available modern technology. The project structure is designed to comprise three components as follows: I. Problem-solving research (this will include research activities in crop management and protection, biotechnology and germplasm conservation) II. Technology transfer component (techniques and technology packages) III. Capacity Building [to strengthen the National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS)]

Objectives

Increase efficiency and expedites production of offshoots in quantities needed by growers at a reduced cost; improve date palm productivity per unit of water and rationalize the use of the available resources so it becomes sustainable; define the nutritional requirements for optimal growth of date palm through leaf tissue and soil analysis to establish the need for use of macro & micro nutrients; improve date palm head practices & management for a vigorous tree with high yield.

Problems and Needs Analysis

Although date palm cultivation in the GCC countries has a long history, yet the research efforts extended for the development of this important crop are insufficient. In general, the product quality is low, the field and post-harvest losses are high and the date products and byproducts need improvement and diversification. There are several problems and constraints that could have a negative impact on the future of the GCC dates industry. Such problems could be summarized as follow. Date palm in most of the date growing GCC countries is still grown in a traditional way and generally left to the care of nature. Horticultural practices have a direct effect on the date yield and fruit quality. These include: inefficient pollination, improper fertilization and irrigation, fruit thinning and pruning. Infestation by the red palm weevil (Rynchophorus ferrugineus Oliv.) was first detected in UAE in 1985 and is considered one of the major pests of the date palm in the Middle East where it causes severe damage. A substantial amount of the dates produced in GCC are of the semi & dry varieties and are prone to spoilage. There is inadequate number of trained staff and technicians at all levels in date palm production, propagation, protection, processing, packaging and marketing.

Intervention Strategy(ies)

According to the technical reports and surveys from the participating countries, there is a need for an integrated regional research program to address problems associated with date palm production systems and to establish closer collaboration among the participating countries. Based on this consensus, a project proposal was developed to contain the following three packages a) problem-solving research; b) Technology transfer; and c) Capacity bUilding. The three packages are interrelated with the major objective to improve date palm production in terms of quantity and quality. Greater integration of R&D outcome within countries will be achieved through the production system approach. While greater integration across countries will be achieved through organizing cross country networks, with scientists from national and international teams exchanging information and consolidating their research across the region. An adaptive research and technology transfer will be utilized in collaboration with the intended end users. The project will identify pilot sites within each country, to test packages of improved technologies and management practices and to serve as a demonstration sites for the farming communities.

Impact Pathway

The potential benefits of this project from developing sustainable date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) production systems would substantially be at economic, social and environmental level. The economic benefits include increased production leading to increased access to productive assets, including natural resources. The training activities will increase the capacity of researchers, extension staff and farmers to apply their new knowledge and skills in their regular research, development and farm level activities leading to increased capacity for innovation in partner development organizations and in poor and vulnerable communities. The environmental benefits include better soil fertility through introduction and adoption of suitable varieties and recycling of date palm by-products. The adoption of pest resistant varieties and integrated pest management practices will reduce the application of pesticides minimizing environmental pollution resulting in healthier society. The adoption of integrated crop management practices will reduce the cost of production, while allowing the farmers to combat the red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier, 1790). The new knowledge and skills acquired by professional and technical staff of various stakeholders (research institutions, farmers) will help in adopting and applying new technologies generated and demonstrated in their regular activities to sustain the project achievements. Training of NARS researchers will equip them with knowledge and skills to develop date palm crop management technologies.

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WHERE WE WORK

RESOURCES

التقييم الاقتصادي لتقني التلقيح السائل وتجفيف التمور تحت غرف البوليكربونيت بالأمارات العربية المتحدة

Author(s): Boubaker Dhehibi | Mohamed Ben-Salah

Date: 2018-12-06 | Type: Report - Sub-type(s): Internal Report

Study of the Effect of Storage Temperature on Microbial Stored Dates under Vacuum

Date: 2018-12-05 | Type: Conference Paper

التقييم الاقتصادي لتقنية التلقيح السائل لنخيل التمر مقارنة بالتلقيح اليدوي التقليدي على صنفي فرض وخلاص في سلطنة عمان

Date: 2018-12-04 | Type: Report - Sub-type(s): Internal Report

تحليل سلسلة القيمة وفرص تسويق التمور في دول مجلس التعاون الخليجي

Author(s): Boubaker Dhehibi | Aymen Frija | Mohamed Ben-Salah | Aden A. Aw-Hassan

Date: 2018-12-04 | Type: Report - Sub-type(s): Internal Report

اعتماد المبيدات الحيوية كبديل للكيميائية في الوقاية من الاصابة بحلم الغبار

Date: 2018-12-03 | Type: Conference Paper

Technical and Economic Impact of Integrated Pest Management on Date Palm Fruit Pests: Case of Lesser Date Moth

Author(s): Boubaker Dhehibi | Mohamed Ben-Salah

Date: 2018-12-03 | Type: Report - Sub-type(s): Internal Report

التنبؤ باستعداد المزارعين لتبني التلقيح السائل وتجفيف التمور تحت غرف البوليكربونيت: دراسة حالة من مزارعي النخيل في سلطنة عمان

Date: 2018-12-03 | Type: Other (Technical Report)

Dates Drying Techniques

Author(s): Mohamed Ben-Salah | Muhammad Irfan

Date: 2018-12-03 | Type: Video

Identify and characterize SNP markers for the candidate genes HKT1;5 and SOS1 in 18 Date palm cultivars. Technical Report

Author(s): Khaled Masmoudi | Mohamed Ben-Salah

Date: 2018-12-02 | Type: Report - Sub-type(s): Internal Report

Adoption of the Project Introduced Technology for Date Palm in Sultanate of Oman

Date: 2018-12-02 | Type: Conference Paper

التقييم الاقتصادي لتجفيف التمور تحت غرف البوليكربونيت

Date: 2018-12-02 | Type: Report - Sub-type(s): Internal Report

الميزة التنافسية لتمور دول مجلس التعاون الخليجي في السوق الدولية

Author(s): Aymen Frija | Boubaker Dhehibi | Mohamed Ben-Salah | Aden A. Aw-Hassan

Date: 2018-11-26 | Type: Report - Sub-type(s): Internal Report

Best practices on date palm cultivation and their effect against RPW Infestation

Author(s): Mohamed Ben-Salah

Date: 2018-11-25 | Type: Conference Paper

Efficiency of some insecticides against Lesser Date Moth, Batrachedra amydraula

Date: 2018-11-20 | Type: Conference Paper

New technologies in date palm production and drying dates

Author(s): Mohamed Ben-Salah

Date: 2018-11-20 | Type: Conference Paper

Effects of drip subsurface irrigation system on date palm production and water productivity

Author(s): Hamdan Salem Al Wahaibi | H Al-Kasbi | Youssef M. Al Raisi | Mohamed Ben-Salah

Date: 2018-11-20 | Type: Conference Paper

BigData and ICT for pest surveillance and risk mapping

Date: 2018-11-15 | Type: Conference Paper

Date Palm Biodiversity & Cultivation in Urban and Rural Areas Resilience Programme-Oasis Cities

Author(s): Mohamed Ben-Salah

Date: 2018-11-07 | Type: Conference Paper

Liquid pollination: New field technique to enhance the date palm production

Author(s): Mohamed Ben-Salah | Youssef M. Al Raisi

Date: 2018-11-06 | Type: Conference Paper

Date palm pollination

Author(s): Mohamed Ben-Salah

Date: 2018-11-01 | Type: Training Material

Drip Fertigation Technology for Enhancing Date Palm Productivity and Fruit Quality

Author(s): Naem Mazahrih | Naem Mazahrih | A. S. Al Sayari | S. A. Al Al Shamsi | Mohamed Ben-Salah

Date: 2018-10-15 | Type: Journal Article

Adoption assessment of the project introduced technologies for date palm farming system in the Sultanate of Oman

Date: 2018-09-20 | Type: Conference Paper

Adoption assessment of the project introduced technologies for date palm farming system in the Sultanate of Oman

Date: 2018-09-20 | Type: Presentation

A Comparative Study for Competitiveness of Dates from the GCC countries in the World Market

Author(s): Boubaker Dhehibi | Aymen Frija | Mohamed Ben-Salah | Aden A. Aw-Hassan

Date: 2018-09-20 | Type: Presentation

A Comparative Study for Competitiveness of Dates from the GCC countries in the World Market

Author(s): Boubaker Dhehibi | Aymen Frija | Mohamed Ben-Salah | Aden A. Aw-Hassan

Date: 2018-09-18 | Type: Conference Paper

Evaluation of Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Production Under Organic Manure Application with arbascular mycorrhizal fungi Adds on Sandy Soils in State of Kuwait

Date: 2018-03-21 | Type: Conference Paper

Fingerprinting of Some Omani Date Palm Cultivars using SSR Markers

Date: 2018-03-21 | Type: Conference Paper

Date Palm Production and Water Productivity Under Subsurface Drip Irrigation System

Author(s): Hamdan Salem Al Wahaibi | Mohamed Ben-Salah | Youssef M. Al Raisi

Date: 2018-03-21 | Type: Conference Paper

Liquid Pollination Technology as New Technology to Ameliorate Date Palm Pollination and Facilitate Date Palm Field Operations

Date: 2018-03-21 | Type: Conference Paper

Effect of Mycorrhizae Inoculation on the Growth of Young Date Palm Plants Under Nursery Conditions

Author(s): S. A. Al Al Shamsi | Al Hammoudi | A. S. Al Sayari | Mohamed Ben-Salah

Date: 2018-03-21 | Type: Conference Paper

Drying Dates Using Solar Energy Under Polycaronate House -New Promising Technology to Dry Dates in Oman

Author(s): Khaled Al Shoaili | Mohamed Ben-Salah | Youssef M. Al Raisi

Date: 2018-03-21 | Type: Conference Paper

Project Development of Sustainable Date Palm Production Systems in the GCC Countries of the Arabian Peninsula: Objectives, Activities and Major Achievements

Author(s): Mohamed Ben-Salah

Date: 2018-03-21 | Type: Conference Paper

Dates trade in GCC Countries Competitivity and Complementarity

Author(s): Boubaker Dhehibi | Faraj El Awar | Mohamed Ben-Salah | Aden A. Aw-Hassan

Date: 2018-03-21 | Type: Conference Paper

تقرير نتائج المرحلة الثانية لمشروع تطوير نظم انتاج مستدامة لنخيل التمر في دول الخليج العربي 2017-2012

Author(s): Mohamed Ben-Salah | Muhammad Irfan

Date: 2017-12-20 | Type: Donor Report

Program of the Training

Author(s): Mohamed Ben-Salah | Muhammad Irfan

Date: 2017-03-02 | Type: Training Material - Sub-type(s): Course Program / Agenda

Crop protection and agricultural statistics

Author(s): Mohamed Ben-Salah

Date: 2017-03-02 | Type: Report - Sub-type(s): Internal Report, Course Program / Agenda

Statistical Designs and Analysis of IPM data of Date Palm Pests (Simple and Multiple Regression)

Author(s): Khaled El-Shamaa

Date: 2017-02-28 | Type: Presentation

Statistical Designs and Analysis of IPM data of Date Palm Pests (Dose - Binary Response Relationship for Probit Analysis, LD50)

Author(s): Khaled El-Shamaa

Date: 2017-02-28 | Type: Presentation

Statistical Designs and Analysis of IPM data of Date Palm Pests (Basics, RCBD and Incomplete Block Designs)

Author(s): Khaled El-Shamaa

Date: 2017-02-28 | Type: Presentation

Example Data File for National Face to face Training Course on Crop protection and agricultural statistics

Author(s): Abdoul Aziz Niane

Date: 2017-02-28 | Type: Dataset - Sub-type(s): Other (Fumigation test data)

Date drying, report presented to ADFCA. "تجفيف التمورباستخدام غرف "البوليكربونيت

Author(s): Mohamed Ben-Salah

Date: 2016-12-31 | Type: Report - Sub-type(s): Internal Report

دراسة بعض النواحي البيئية والحيوية لحفار جذور النخيل Oryctes agamemnon arabicus Fairmaire وحفار عذوق النخيل Oryctes elegans Prell (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) في مملكة البحرين

Author(s): Ali Ahmed Al-Asfora | Abdel Aziz Mohamed Abdel el Karim | Isa Ahmed Ghanem | Sadek Isa Mansour | Mohamed Ben-Salah

Date: 2016-12-31 | Type: Report - Sub-type(s): Internal Report

مسح لأنواع الحشرات والعناكب المتواجدة بمزارع نخيل التمر في مملكة البحرين

Author(s): Abdel Aziz Mohamed Abdel el Karim | Ali Ahmed Al-Asfora | Isa Ahmed Ghanem | Sadek Isa Mansour | Mohamed Ben-Salah

Date: 2016-12-31 | Type: Report - Sub-type(s): Internal Report

مشروع "تطوير نظم انتاج مستدامة لنخيل التمر في دول الخليج العربي" مثال للمقاربة التشاركية للنهوض بنخيل التمر في دول الخليج العربية

Author(s): Mohamed Ben-Salah

Date: 2016-12-31 | Type: Report - Sub-type(s): Internal Report

Improving Date Palm Production in the Sultanate of Oman: Economic Evaluation of a Polycarbonate Drying House for Date Palm Products

Date: 2016-10-10 | Type: Report - Sub-type(s): Internal Report

Recycling of date palm by-products in Al Kuwaitet research station in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

Author(s): Mohamed Ben-Salah

Date: 2016-10-01 | Type: Report - Sub-type(s): Internal Report

Economic comparison and evaluation of manual and liquid pollination methods of date palm trees in the Sultanate of Oman (varieties Fardh and Khalas)

Date: 2016-10-01 | Type: Report - Sub-type(s): Internal Report

Fruit thinning on ‘Khalas’ and ‘Barhi’ date palm cultivars in Al Kuwaitet research station in United Arab Emirates

Author(s): Mohamed Ben-Salah | A. Al Nuaimi | A. Al Ktebi

Date: 2016-09-01 | Type: Report - Sub-type(s): Internal Report

تجفيف التمور في غرف البولي كربونيت

Date: 2016-07-15 | Type: Working Paper

Water saving in arid regions: a comparison of surface and subsurface drip irrigation systems for irrigation of date palms

Author(s): Mohamed Ben-Salah | A. Z. Dewidar

Date: 2016-07-07 | Type: Journal Article

Date palm liquid pollination applied on ‘Fardh’ and ‘Gash Boumaan’ cultivars in Al Kuwaitet research station in United Arab Emirates

Author(s): Mohamed Ben-Salah | A. Al Nuaimi | A. Al Ktebi

Date: 2016-07-01 | Type: Report - Sub-type(s): Internal Report

تقييم فاعلية بعض المبيدات الحيوية في الوقاية من االصابة بحلم الغبار

Date: 2016-06-01 | Type: Working Paper

Water Saving in Arid Regions: Comparison of surface and subsurface drip irrigation systems for irrigations of date palm

Author(s): A. Z. Dewidar | A. Z. Dewidar | Yousef Al Fahaid | Sabry Al-Hilal | Mohamed Ben-Salah

Date: 2016-05-25 | Type: Poster

مشروع "تطوير نظم انتاج مستدامة لنخيل التمر في دول الخليج العربي" مثال للمقاربة التشاركية للنهوض بنخيل التمر في دول الخليج العربية

Author(s): Mohamed Ben-Salah

Date: 2016-05-25 | Type: Poster

Dimensions normées des nervures dans le genre Phoenix - Observations et mesures réalisées à Sanremo (Italie) dans le cadre du projet Euromed 3+3, MOCAF

Author(s): Claudio Littardi | Mohamed Ben-Salah | M. Littardi

Date: 2016-03-01 | Type: Poster

NEWS & EVENTS

News

Gulf Cooperation Council Agrees on Sustainable Date Palm Production Systems