DOHA: The 11th Local Dates Festival opened on Saturday at Souq Waqif, welcoming visitors to explore Qatar's rich agricultural heritage and purchase premium locally grown fresh dates directly from farmers.
Running until August 10 at the Eastern Square of Souq Waqif, the festival features the participation of 125 local farms, showcasing a diverse selection of high-quality fresh date varieties harvested across Qatar.
The festival offers residents and visitors an authentic heritage experience, combining the excellence of Qatar's national agricultural produce with the country's longstanding date-farming traditions. Visitors can meet local farmers, discover the finest local date varieties, and enjoy a family-friendly atmosphere celebrating Qatar's agricultural legacy.
The festival is open from 4p m to 9pm Sunday through Thursday, with extended hours from 4pm to 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Now in its 11th edition, the annual festival aims to support local farmers, promote Qatari agricultural products, encourage the consumption of locally grown dates, and preserve the country's agricultural heritage by fostering direct interaction between producers and consumers.
Director of Souq Waqif and General Supervisor of the Local Dates Festival Mohammed Abdullah Al Salem, affirmed that the organization of the 11th Local Dates Festival builds on the remarkable success achieved since its inaugural edition in 2016, which featured the participation of only 19 local farms.
This year’s edition, however, brings together 125 local farms, reflecting the continuous growth of Qatar’s agricultural sector and the increasing interest of local farmers in participating in this annual event.
Al Salem explained that the festival, which commenced on July 25 and will continue until August 10, aims to bring together the largest possible number of local farms under one roof, thereby supporting Qatari agricultural products, enhancing their marketing opportunities, and providing consumers with the opportunity to explore the quality and diversity of the nation’s agricultural produce.
He noted that the festival has witnessed a steady increase in the number of participating farms year after year, demonstrating the confidence it has earned among farmers and highlighting its important role in supporting local production and encouraging healthy competition within the agricultural sector.
Al Salem added that visitors to the festival will have the opportunity to enjoy a wide selection of premium locally grown dates, including Ikhlas, Khunaizi, Shishi, and Barhi varieties, in addition to a range of seasonal Qatari fruits such as figs, papaya, lime, and almonds, showcasing the diversity and high quality of Qatar’s agricultural production.
He further emphasized that the selection of Souq Waqif’s Eastern Square as the festival venue reflects the market’s distinguished heritage and tourism status, its strategic location in the heart of Doha, and the comprehensive facilities and services it offers, ensuring an exceptional experience for both exhibitors and visitors alike.
