January 11, 2021 –Socotra Online
Reporting and Photography: Mohamed Saeed bin Mohaimeed
Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation proceeded, for the first time, to establish dates packaging factory in Socotra, which would be considered as the first of kind.
This achievement would contribute to maintenance of the local product of dates and proper packaging of dates to eliminate traditional methods.
This factory would be considered as an economic and social supporter to farmers, as it would help them in selling their dates and marketing their products to the factory to promote the local market. This would help them in having better quality of life.
Socotra Online had a tour in the factory and met the agricultural engineer at Khalifa Foundation and number of workers in the factory. Engineer Eyad Ali Abdella, agricultural engineer at Khalifa Foundation, mentioned that this idea came up after recognizing that people in Socotra have more than half million palms. Therefore, Khalifa Foundation thought that establishment of this factory would help in maintenance of dates in proper and healthy manner to improve quality of life of farmers.
He also mentioned that they receive all categories of dates to be weighted and sold to the factory to support the local market with dates. He added that the factory included two phases: phase 1: washing, drying and sorting, and phase 2: after 24 hours, start of packaging and freezing. Product should be put in normal air conditioner (20 -22° C)for five days.
Hanan Al Hamed, Worker at Factory, asserted that the factory would be very important, as it was the first of kind. She also thanked Khalifa Foundation for concerning with agriculture in Socotra with such distinguishable projects and achievements.
In turn, Zainab Salem Abdullah expressed her gratitude and appreciation to Khalifa Foundation for such great effort.