Doha: The 10th edition of the Local Dates Festival opened at Souq Waqif on July 24, bringing together more than 100 local farms to offer a wide variety of fresh dates at attractive prices. The festival runs until August 7, welcoming visitors daily from 4pm to 9pm on weekdays and until 10pm on weekends.

The festival was inaugurated by Eng. Fahad Mohammed Al-Qahtani, Assistant Undersecretary for Agricultural Affairs and Food Security, alongside other senior officials from the Ministry of Municipality and Souq Waqif. This annual event has grown significantly since its launch in 2016, when only 19 farms participated. Now, with 116 farms involved, it stands as a major platform supporting local agriculture and food security.

Officials emphasized the festival’s role in empowering farmers and promoting high-quality local produce. Last year’s edition recorded sales of over 240 tonnes of dates, and organizers expect even higher interest this year, thanks to the premium quality of Qatari dates and increased public engagement.

As part of Qatar’s National Food Security Strategy 2030, the Ministry continues to support date-producing farms through initiatives like the Local Dates Festival, which enhance sustainability, strengthen local production, and contribute to the broader goals of Qatar National Vision 2030.