The digital platform for date varieties in the United Arab Emirates
A smart database that embodies the spirit of Zayed’s legacy and enhances food security
An institutional partnership that utilizes artificial intelligence to preserve agricultural heritage and develop the sector.
Abu Dhabi(Press Release)::The Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation,in Collabration with The Zayed Charitable Foundation,(both affiliated with the Zayed Humanitarian Legacy Foundation) and the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, announced a pioneering national project: the development of the “Digital Platform for Date Varieties in the UAE,” the first smart and integrated digital database for date varieties in the country.
The project aims to document, protect, and enhance the sustainability of date palm genetic diversity by building an advanced digital knowledge system based on artificial intelligence technologies, thereby supporting scientific research and decision-making, and consolidating the UAE’s position as a global center for agricultural innovation. .
This came during a press conference held in Abu Dhabi on April 20, 2026, in the presence of His Excellency Professor Dr. Abdul Wahab Al-Bukhari Zayed, Secretary General of the Award, His Excellency Muhanna Obaid Al-Muhairi, Deputy Director General of the Zayed Charity Foundation, and His Excellency Engineer Mubarak Ali Al-Qusaili Al-Mansouri, Advisor to the Director General of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority.
His Excellency Professor Dr. Abdul Wahab Al-Bukhari Zayed, Secretary-General of the Award, affirmed that the project represents a qualitative shift in agricultural knowledge management, and an interactive platform that combines heritage and innovation, and provides a unified national reference that supports researchers, farmers and decision-makers with accurate and reliable data .He added that the platform is not limited to being a database, but is an integrated system that employs artificial intelligence to identify date varieties and analyze their characteristics, supported by thousands of images and digital media, which enhances the efficiency of agricultural research and planning, and contributes to protecting this national heritage that includes more than 130 varieties of dates. .
His Excellency Muhanna Obaid Al Muhairi, Deputy Director General of the Zayed Charity Foundation, affirmed that the project embodies an extension of the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God have mercy on him, in establishing a balanced relationship between humanity and the environment. He pointed out that “the platform represents an advanced model in investing in digital knowledge, and contributes to empowering the agricultural community and enhancing awareness of the importance of the date palm as a symbol of giving and sustainability.” ». He explained that the project reflects the integration of national efforts among partner entities, and establishes a knowledge platform that allows for the exchange of experiences at the regional and international levels, thus enhancing the UAE’s role in supporting sustainable development. .
His Excellency Engineer Mubarak Ali Al Qusaili Al Mansouri, Advisor to the Director General of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, indicated that the project represents “a significant step towards building a smart, data-driven agricultural system,” noting that the platform provides advanced analytical tools that support decision-making and contribute to developing effective strategies to address agricultural challenges, most notably climate change and agricultural pests, including the red palm weevil. . He added that employing artificial intelligence in identifying varieties and analyzing agricultural data enhances the efficiency of natural resource management and supports the state’s orientation towards sustainable agriculture and achieving food security. .
The “Digital Platform for Date Varieties in the UAE” provides an interactive digital environment that allows access to comprehensive and up-to-date information about date varieties, including morphological characteristics, productive qualities, nutritional value, and economic and cultural uses, supported by a rich database of high-quality images and digital media. .
The project relies on collecting data from multiple sources, including government agencies, research institutions, and farmers, while applying the highest standards of quality and verification, to ensure the building of a reliable knowledge base that serves various segments of the agricultural community. .
This project is expected to represent a qualitative leap in documenting agricultural knowledge and contribute to enhancing the global competitiveness of Emirati dates by providing an advanced platform for knowledge exchange and supporting innovation. .
This project embodies the continuation of the approach of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, (May Allah have mercy on him), in his attention to agriculture and the preservation of natural resources, and in establishing a balanced relationship between man and the environment, which enhances the path of sustainable development in the United Arab Emirates. .
This study is being conducted by a group of international experts headed by His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Wahbi, an international expert in palm cultivation and a former representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
