Ouarzazate — Morocco and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are enhancing their partnership in the cultivation of date palms and the safeguarding of oasis environments, positioning both nations as leading proponents of sustainable agricultural practices within these ecosystems.
Dr. Abdelouahhab Zaid, an agricultural advisor at the UAE Presidential Court and Secretary General of the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, discussed this initiative with Morocco World News during the second International Congress on Oases and Date Palm held in Ouarzazate on May 22-23.
“We represent the Khalifa Award from the UAE to share our experiences in advancing the date palm sector at various levels,” Zaid stated.
The UAE aims to share knowledge in areas such as tissue culture development, large-scale planting, disease management, packaging, processing, and global marketing.
A Unified Vision for Oasis Conservation
Both nations have been advocates for the sustainable management of oasis systems on a worldwide platform.
Morocco first highlighted this issue at COP22 in Marrakech in 2016, and the UAE’s Khalifa Award has since supported similar initiatives at subsequent climate forums.
“This topic has been raised in various global discussions on climate change,” Zaid mentioned, referring to their participation at recent events like COP26 in Glasgow, COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, and COP28 in Dubai. “Our objective is to ensure the protection of oases for the future generations.”
The collaboration seeks to create an international organization, potentially under the auspices of the UN, focused on sustainable oasis development. This initiative targets the crucial need for safeguarding vulnerable oasis ecosystems while enhancing production methods and living conditions for the local populace.
Collaborative Technical Efforts and Innovation
Despite their geographic distances — Morocco located in North Africa and the UAE in the Gulf region — both countries encounter analogous agricultural challenges and possibilities. They have distinguished themselves as global leaders in advancing date palm tissue culture and large-scale multiplication techniques.
The Al Foah factory in the UAE exemplifies the capabilities of the UAE’s date industry, producing and exporting approximately 200,000 tons of dates each year to over 50 countries.
Conversely, Morocco has established extensive plantations covering thousands of hectares in the Boudnib region, specializing in high-quality varieties like Medjool dates.
“Both nations are committed to producing what we refer to as noble varieties,” Zaid emphasized, highlighting their shared dedication to premium date production for global markets.
Tackling Regional Agricultural Challenges
This partnership also seeks to address specific agricultural threats in the region. While Morocco deals with the Bayoud disease, which is absent in the Gulf states, the UAE is facing challenges from the red palm weevil, a pest that has recently surfaced in northern Morocco.
“Managing diseases and pests is a significant area of mutual achievement,” Zaid pointed out, noting that sharing knowledge enables both nations to formulate effective responses to emerging agricultural threats.
Enhancing Bilateral Relations
The agricultural collaboration signifies broader diplomatic relations between Morocco and the UAE. Zaid highlighted the positive rapport between King Mohammed VI of Morocco and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Since taking office in 2017, Zaid has also acted as a goodwill ambassador for the FAO’s International Date Palm Network, organizing festivals and technical assistance initiatives throughout the Arab world, including in Mexico, Pakistan, Jordan, Egypt, Sudan, and Mauritania.
“Our involvement here symbolizes such collaboration,” Zaid remarked. “The Khalifa Award holds international significance, and we aim to share the UAE’s experiences in this area with our partners in Morocco.”
The two-day congress in Ouarzazate marks a significant advancement in the growing alliance between Morocco and the UAE, as both countries strive to protect oasis ecosystems and foster sustainable agricultural sectors for generations to come.