Workshop on Dates Value Chain, Value Addition & Quality Management
09/12/2013-12/12/2013
Workshop on Dates Value Chain, Value Addition & Quality Management
The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) has been growing in the deserts of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) for more than 5000 years.
In recent years, this fruit has gained significant importance in global commerce. It is believed that about 100 million date palm trees are cultivated globally, about 90% of which in Arabic countries, yielding about 7.5 million tons of dates annually. The area cultivated with dates is undergoing continuous expansion in traditional countries as well as new homes such as Australia and Namibia. During the period 1990–2009, global production of dates saw an increase of 219% (from 3.43 to 7.53 million metric tons), and according to FAO projections this trend is expected to continue.
This sacred tree is an important food security crop in these dry lands. However, the date tree and especially its fruit have not received adequate research and development efforts regarding its supply chain and marketing. Limited efforts have been made especially by researchers in the Near East and North Africa region and, moreover, these efforts were scattered and were not focused towards specified aim.
Regional collaborations, e.g. via integrated projects, will boost efforts in research and development and implementation outcomes targeting valorization of the supply chain and marketing of this very important food commodity. Meetings and workshops are continually needed to foster the exchange of ideas and the collaborations needed to reach such targets.
In recent years, this fruit has gained significant importance in global commerce. It is believed that about 100 million date palm trees are cultivated globally, about 90% of which in Arabic countries, yielding about 7.5 million tons of dates annually. The area cultivated with dates is undergoing continuous expansion in traditional countries as well as new homes such as Australia and Namibia. During the period 1990–2009, global production of dates saw an increase of 219% (from 3.43 to 7.53 million metric tons), and according to FAO projections this trend is expected to continue.
This sacred tree is an important food security crop in these dry lands. However, the date tree and especially its fruit have not received adequate research and development efforts regarding its supply chain and marketing. Limited efforts have been made especially by researchers in the Near East and North Africa region and, moreover, these efforts were scattered and were not focused towards specified aim.
Regional collaborations, e.g. via integrated projects, will boost efforts in research and development and implementation outcomes targeting valorization of the supply chain and marketing of this very important food commodity. Meetings and workshops are continually needed to foster the exchange of ideas and the collaborations needed to reach such targets.