Ethiopia, UAE Agree to Collaborate on Palm Production Development

Addis Ababa, April 28, 2025 (ENA) – Minister of Agriculture, Girma Amente, the Secretary General of Khalfa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation of the United Arab Emirates, Abdelouahhab Zaid, discussed on the ways of working  together on palm  production.

Ethiopia is set to host the inaugural International Date Palm Festival this year, following a collaborative agreement signed between the Ministry of Agriculture of Ethiopia and the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation from the UAE.

Ethiopian agriculture minister Girma Amente has expressed readiness to collaborate with partner organizations for organizing future festivals focused on palm productions.

The festival will feature discussions on improved date palm varieties and technologies, with participation from farmers, producers, professionals, researchers and private sectors across various countries focusing on practical solutions.

According to Ministry of Agriculture, Ethiopia possesses 500, 000 hectares of land suitable for palm cultivation, with only about 6,000 hectares currently utilized.

Afar, Somali, Gambela, Benishangul-Gumuz, Guji, and Borena (Oromia), regions As well as Dire Dawa administration of Ethiopia are identified as potential areas for palm productions.

The Khalifa International Award, established by the UAE government in 2009, has supported date palm cultivation worldwide through training programs and research funding.