The Central Market for Dates Auctions in the Madinah Region has officially kicked off, marking the start of the 2024 Madinah Dates Season. The auctions will feature the harvest from over 29,000 farms across the region's governorates, catering to both local and global markets while showcasing the diverse types of dates and their nutritional benefits. Organized by the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture in collaboration with the National Center for Palms and Dates and the Chamber of Commerce, the season's activities include a 28-day camp designed to promote traditional Saudi arts, demonstrate wickerwork and traditional construction techniques, and support environmental sustainability through palm waste recycling. The camp also offers local artisans the chance to participate and will host a hackathon focused on generating data on dates and developing artificial intelligence solutions in the sector. The three-month-long Madinah Dates Season is part of the broader "Our Dates Seasons" initiative, aime d at deepening the connection between dates and the cultural and social heritage of the Kingdom. It also seeks to enhance the economic and social value of dates. The Madinah region, home to over 6.5 million palm trees and an annual production of more than 263,000 tons of dates, plays a crucial role in advancing the Kingdom's food security strategies, aligning with the goals of Vision 2030. Source: Saudi Press Agency