Assistant Undersecretary for Agricultural Affairs and Food Security at the Ministry of Municipality Eng. Fahad Mohammed Al-Qahtani, and the representative of the Private Engineering Office Abdulrahman Mohammed Al-Naama with other officials touring the festival.
DOHA: The 10th Local Dates Festival opened yesterday, offering many varieties of fresh dates at attractive prices, promising two weeks of celebration and support for Qatar’s agricultural sector.
Running from July 24 to August 7, the festival is hosted in the eastern square of Souq Waqif, welcoming visitors from 4pm to 9pm on weekdays, and until 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
The festival was inaugurated by Assistant Undersecretary for Agricultural Affairs and Food Security at the Ministry of Municipality Eng. Fahad Mohammed Al-Qahtani, and the representative of the Private Engineering Office Abdulrahman Mohammed Al-Naama.
Also in attendance were Director of Agricultural Affairs Department Youssef Khalid Al-Khulaifi, and Director of Souq Waqif and General Supervisor of the Festival Mohammed Abdullah Al-Salem, along with several ministry and market officials.
This year’s edition features more than 100 local farms, making it one of the most significant agricultural events in Qatar. The festival is a key component of national efforts to promote local produce, empower farmers, and enhance food security, aligning with Qatar’s National Vision for Sustainable Development.
Speaking at the opening, Al-Khulaifi emphasized the festival’s growing importance, stating: “The festival has earned a strong reputation over the years due to the high quality of products, increased farm participation, and strong turnout from citizens and residents alike. This motivates farmers to continue investing in this vital sector.”
He noted the significant growth since the festival’s first edition in 2016, which featured only 19 farms. In 2025, 116 farms are participating, reflecting the growing interest and development in date farming.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Abdullah Al-Salem praised the longstanding cooperation between the Ministry of Municipality and Souq Waqif, highlighting the strategic location and cultural value of the venue.
“Souq Waqif, at the heart of Doha, is a prominent heritage and tourist destination, making it the perfect venue for this important event.” He added that the Ministry ensured all necessary preparations and logistics were in place to facilitate a successful festival.
This year’s edition offers a wide variety of locally grown dates, as well as date-based products, continuing the tradition of excellence that led to record-breaking sales of 240 tonnes in last year’s edition.
“We expect even better outcomes this year, driven by the outstanding quality of Qatari dates and increasing visitor interest,” Al-Salem concluded. The festival remains a highlight in Qatar’s summer calendar, combining cultural celebration with agricultural advancement.
As part of the National Food Security Strategy 2030, the Ministry of Municipality continues to support date-producing farms through qualitative initiatives and projects, most notably the establishment of direct marketing outlets such as the Local Date Festival, which enhances agricultural sustainability, supports local production, and contributes to achieving food security and implementing Qatar National Vision 2030.
