Local dates festival to start at Souq Waqif on July 27

The Ministry of Municipality has completed all arrangements for the 8th edition of the Local Dates Festival at Souq Waqif, a Qatar TV report has said.The festival will be held at Souq Waqif’s Al Ahmed Square from July 27 to August 5.According to the statement from the ministry, the festival will receive the public daily from 3pm until 9pm, except for Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, when it is open until 10pm.Ahmed Salem al-Yafei, head of the Extension and Agricultural Services Department and supervisor of the festival, said more than 100 local farms will showcase their products at the festival.Organised by the Ministry of Municipality and Souq Waqif management, the festival comes within the framework of the great interest that Qatar attaches to supporting and encouraging local production of all national products including dates, in conjunction with the season of date production in the country. This is with the aim of supporting efforts to achieve food security while encouraging the interest and keenness to develop the agricultural sector. Also, the dates festival seeks to encourage farmers to improve production.The annual festival usually features all Qatari varieties of dates including Al Khalas, Al Khenaizi, Al Shishi, Al Barhi, Al Saqai, Al Razizi, Nabt Saif and Al Lulu. Also, date syrup will be available.The event is expected to have the participation of specialised companies and farms from across the country while offering produce at competitive prices, which are lower than those found at retail outlets.