By Sanaullah Ataullah
DOHA: The first harvest of vitamins rich fresh dates from local farms has arrived to the Central Market.
At least three verities of fresh dates are available at the Market at very affordable rate.
A box of 5kg fresh dates of Khasab was sold at QR12 in the Central Market yesterday. Other verities, Um Raihan and Murjiyan of same quantities were available at QR18 and QR20 respectively.
“Fresh dates began coming in the market directly from Qatari farms and the supply is expected to continue for at least next two months”, said a vendor at Central Market.
“It is beginning, within next two weeks some more and better verities of fresh dates will arrive”, he added.
Regarding the demands of fresh dates, the vendor said “I took 50 boxes from the auction held in the early morning, only ten boxes remained that will be sold out by this evening”.
“We harvested some 30 boxes today and sent to the Central Market for sale”, said a worker at a farm with around 2,000 palm trees located near Al Khor. “So far, only two verities of dates ripened in our farm. Many other good qualities will be ready in coming weeks”, he added.
“All verities of dates will be taken to the Central Market after ripping to be sold as fresh except Khalas. This fruit will be dried in the twigs as per the process. Then it is pressed with machine and packed for sale.
Khalas is expensive and it costs some QR50 for a packet of one kg. It has a one year long expiry date”, said the farmer.
More than 20 types of dates produce in Qatar. They are Khanizi, Khazrawi, Khalas, Ghar, Sultana, Sukkari, Tunasi, Iraqi, Barhi, Khasab, Dajlanoor, Shahla, Lulu, Zarir, Hilali, Jabri, Bint Yusuf, Shishi, Um Raihan and Murjiyan.
Date fruits are also rich in minerals like calcium, manganese, copper, and magnesium. Calcium is an important mineral that is an essential constituent of bone and teeth, and required by the body for muscle contraction, blood clotting, and nerve impulse conduction.
According to the earlier report of the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, Qatar is 70 present self sufficient in the production of dates. Only just 30 percent are being imported mainly from Saudi Arabia and Oman.
The Agricultural Research Department at the Ministry is working on a project worth QR15m to increase the quality and quantity of dates’ products. The project was financed by Qatar Foundation, said the report.
The Peninsula
