*Over 14,000kg sold on first day of the expo 54 local farms participating in the event
The second edition of the Local Dates Exhibition that opened at Souq Waqif in Doha on Wednesday is drawing a good number of visitors.
Organised by the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) and Souq Waqif management, the event running until October 26 has more than a dozen local varieties of dates on sale.
The MME on Thursday said 14,702kg, or 14.702 tonnes, of different kinds of dates were sold on the first day of the event.
A total of 54 farms from across Qatar, Hassad Food Company and Al Rayyan Agricultural are participating. The exhibition is open from 10am to 9pm.
(image)
Officials touring the second edition of the Local Dates Exhibition yesterday at Souq Waqif. PICTURES: Anas Khalid.
Ahmed al-Kuwari, general supervisor of the MME's Agriculture Sector, said the exhibition is organised as part of Qatar’s efforts to ensure availability of quality dates for all and promote local farmers.
“We are looking to help local farmers get direct access to customers and make locally grown products popular. Production of local dates deserves consideration and support,” al-Kuwari told Gulf Times.
The items which are on sale at the exhibition include Al Khalas, Al Shishi, Al Khenaizi, Al Barhi, Al Iraqi and Al Silji, Al Saqai, Nabt Saif, Al Lulu and Al Razizi. These varieties are available at special prices at Souq Waqif.
Khalid Nasser Ahmed, director manager, Al Rayyan Agricultural, said the festival provides farmers with the opportunity to find a market for their products.
The fourth edition of the Local Dates Festival, held at Souq Waqif earlier this year, recorded a sale of over 170 tonnes. The ten-day festival witnessed a total of 51,000 visitors.
The MME has plans to hold such festivals at Katara - the Cultural Village and Qur'anic Botanic Garden at Qatar Foundation along with various fairs across Qatar.