ACSAD’s Efforts in the Development of Palm Tree Cultivation

25 years of exerted efforts by the Arab Center (ACSAD) to develop palm tree cultivation in the Arab countries:

• Establish a palm tree research network (1994-2002, funded by IFAD, ACSAD, Arab Monetary Fund for Economic and Social Development and Islamic Bank) in 12 Arab countries (Morocco, Mauritania, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE, Oman and Bahrain). The network achievements included:

1. Distinguished scientific publications of scientific reports, books and atlases.
2. Training workshops including a workshop on red palm weevil in 2000.

In this context, five sub-networks were established:

1. Variety improvement sub-network (Morocco).
2. Production techniques sub-network (Egypt).
3. Integrated pest management sub-network (Saudi Arabia).
4. Date fruit post-harvesting technique sub-network (UAE).
5. Economic and social studies sub-network (Syria).

• Develop a date palm tree program in 2003 under ACSAD’s organizational structure (a fixed main program among the programs of plant resources department).
• Carry out the ACSAD-funded project of “Evaluation and Selection of New Seed Palm Tree Varieties in some Arab Countries; Egypt, Syria and Saudi Arabia” during the period 2006-2011. The project included:

1. Gene banks establishment.
2. Variety propagation and cultivation.

• Carry out the ACSAD-funded project of “Service Process Development of Vertical and Horizontal Palm Tree Orchards to Increase Production and Improve Quality in the Arab Region” during the period 2015-2019 in Iraq, Jordan, Palestine, Somalia, Algeria, Syria, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Mauritania and Sudan. The project included:

1. Increasing date production both in quantity and quality.
2. Raising the efficiency of workers and farmers.
3. Improving the economic level of palm tree farmers.