Among (140) countries, the Fadak Palm Farm, which is affiliated with the Agricultural Authority at the Holy Al-Abbas Shrine, had a distinguished participation in the Global Food Expo and Forum held at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in the Italian capital, Rome. The farm showcased a variety of dates produced there, stemming from long-term strategic plans aimed at restoring Iraq to its global standing in the millions of palm trees that were spread across several provinces, as well as the renowned quality of its date production.
The farm director, engineer “Fayez Abu Al-Maali,” stated in a statement followed by the News Video Agency that “an invitation to participate was received at the Holy Al-Abbas Shrine from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), inviting Fadak Farm to participate in this global expo and forum. The participation aimed to highlight the numerous types of dates grown on the farm, which produced a range of high-quality dates varieties, as it contains (100) varieties of the famous and good Iraqi date palms, along with rare types.”
Public Response
Abu Al-Maali added, saying that “the importance of participating in a global expo and forum is significant as we want to present a positive and realistic image of the agricultural capabilities of the Holy Al-Abbas Shrine before the participating countries,” pointing out that “the Iraqi pavilion was among eight pavilions that included countries from Africa and the Middle East, including Iraq, Tunisia, Jordan, Libya, Egypt, and others,” emphasizing that “most countries in the world participated in the expo and forum.” He clarified that “many visitors were initially hesitant to taste the types of Iraqi dates, but after they tasted them, they returned for more, and many were amazed by what they tasted from the date varieties at Fadak Farm, inquiring about the possibility of delivering those varieties to them in European countries, which generated significant public interest in the farm’s pavilion. We also distributed informational brochures to the public in both Arabic and English to inform visitors about the details of the farm, its area, and the good and rare types of date palms grown there.”
(OCOP) Program
He explained that “the FAO has a global (OCOP) program launched in 2021 that more than (95) countries have joined, promoting more than (56) agricultural products, and its essence is ‘One country, one priority product.’ Iraq chose the blessed date palm as it is considered a priority single product due to its significant economic, nutritional, and heritage value, being a symbol of Iraqi agricultural identity, as it is one of the oldest places for palm cultivation in the world. There are many historical evidences confirming the cultivation of palm trees in the Sumerian city of ‘Uridu’ since (4000) BC. It is a tree from which a person learns patience and generosity, enduring drought desert conditions while at the same time producing delicious fruits.”