🌴 The Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation is a prestigious global initiative launched by the UAE to honor excellence in the fields of date palm cultivation and agricultural innovation. Established in 2007 under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, it celebrates individuals, institutions, and projects that have made transformative contributions to sustainable agriculture.
The award spans five major categories:
Distinguished Innovative Studies and Modern Technology – Recognizes groundbreaking research published in peer-reviewed journals.
Pioneering Development and Productive Projects – Honors impactful agricultural projects that benefit communities and ecosystems.
Distinguished Producers, Manufacturers, and Marketers – Celebrates excellence in date production, processing, and marketing.
Pioneering and Sophisticated Innovations Serving the Agricultural Sector – Rewards novel techniques with proven positive effects.
Influential Figure in the Field of Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation – Acknowledges visionary leaders shaping the sector.
Over 2,000 participants from 59 countries have competed since its inception.
The award has helped elevate the global reputation of Arab dates, especially through festivals and exhibitions in Egypt, Sudan, Jordan, Mauritania, and Mexico.
It supports UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those targeting poverty eradication, food security, and environmental sustainability.
187 candidates from 28 countries submitted entries.
Winners included innovations in genomic prediction for date palm traits, AI and IoT pest management, and agrivoltaics with solar desalination.
Honorees came from the UAE, Australia, Kuwait, Pakistan, Egypt, Tunisia, and the UK.
Applications open: June 1, 2025
Deadline: December 15, 2025
Winners announced: February 2026
Award ceremony: April 28, 2026