The Madinah Dates Season 2024, held next to the historic Quba Mosque, has provided a platform for Saudi women and girls to showcase their growing influence in the dates industry.
From arts and cooking workshops to managing crowd flow and marketing, these women are making a significant mark. The exhibition also highlights the Kingdom’s focus on food security and sustainability, aligning with Vision 2030.
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Key Highlights
Women-Led Workshops and Exhibitions
Women at the exhibition are leading multiple initiatives, including traditional arts, crafts, and food-related workshops. Malak Al-Juhani, a seasoned vendor at the event, credits her enhanced marketing skills for a noticeable increase in sales. The workshops help women develop their skills, exchange knowledge, and empower themselves economically​.
Culinary Expertise and Traditional Crafts
Chef Enayat Anbar Khan, with 17 years of experience, conducted workshops on date processing and traditional crafts, educating visitors on the nutritional value of dates and offering recipes.
Alongside, women specializing in sewing, embroidery, and wood carving participated, providing training and showcasing their professional skills​.
Contributions to Food Security
The Madinah region, known for its 5.6 million palm trees and an annual production of 263,000 tonnes of dates, plays a pivotal role in Saudi Arabia’s food security goals.
The exhibition featured over 30 traditional dishes and a wide range of date varieties, such as anbara, ajwa, safawi, khudri, and sukkari. The season also emphasizes sustainable development, with auctions from 29,000 farms​.
Popular Date Varieties at the Exhibition
Date Variety |
Unique Features |
|---|---|
Ajwa |
Sweet, soft, and popular for its flavor |
Anbara |
Known for its large size and sweetness |
Sukkari |
A favorite for its caramel-like taste |
Safawi |
Rich in texture and darker in color |
Empowering Women and Enhancing Tradition
The event underscores the crucial role women play in the region’s agricultural and cottage industries. By providing spaces to display professional skills, the exhibition enables women to contribute to the local economy while preserving traditional crafts.
It also offers an excellent opportunity to discuss Saudi Arabia’s goals under Vision 2030, focusing on sustainable agriculture and women’s empowerment​.
Conclusion
The Madinah Dates Season is a testament to Saudi women’s growing participation in industries that are vital to the country’s economy.
As Saudi Arabia advances towards its Vision 2030 goals, events like these showcase the Kingdom’s commitment to sustainability, food security, and gender inclusion.
The exhibition continues until the end of the year, allowing visitors to witness firsthand the remarkable impact women are having on the industry.
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