The 11th Liwa Ajman Dates and Honey Festival achieved outstanding results, reflecting its growing status as a leading national platform that celebrates the UAE’s agricultural heritage and supports local produce. Attracting strong participation from farmers, beekeepers, exhibitors and visitors, the festival featured a diverse programme of heritage competitions alongside cultural and educational activities.
The Ajman Department of Tourism, Culture and Media concluded the festival, which ran from 30 July to 3 August 2026, affirming that the results achieved by this year’s edition further strengthen Ajman’s position as a leading destination within the cultural heritage and tourism events landscape. The festival also embodies the Department’s commitment to preserving cultural heritage and deepening younger generations’ connection to their national identity.
This year’s edition welcomed more than 20,000 visitors and featured 62 exhibitors and 10 government entities. It also presented more than 48 activities, workshops, heritage performances and educational programmes designed for various segments of the community. Meanwhile, the dates, honey, citrus fruit and other fruit competitions recorded 484 entries across multiple categories, amid strong public attendance throughout the festival.
The festival further enhanced its role in encouraging excellence by offering prizes exceeding AED 1 million for its competitions and public draws. These prizes reflect the organising committee’s commitment to rewarding excellence in agricultural production, fostering positive competition among participants and improving the quality of local products, thereby supporting the agricultural sector, its sustainability and contribution to the local economy.
His Excellency Mahmood Khaleel Alhashmi, Director General of the Ajman Department of Tourism, Culture and Media, affirmed that the success of the 11th edition reflects the festival’s growing stature as a national platform that combines the preservation of Emirati heritage with efforts to drive economic and social development. He noted that the festival has become a model of integrated government efforts and partnerships with the private sector and the wider community to support farmers and beekeepers and enhance the quality of national products.
His Excellency said: “Over the past 11 years, the Liwa Ajman Dates and Honey Festival has established itself as a national event celebrating the UAE’s agricultural heritage and reflecting our wise leadership’s commitment to preserving the nation’s heritage and empowering farmers and local producers. The results achieved by this year’s edition demonstrate that investing in heritage is an investment in identity and sustainable development. They also reinforce Ajman’s position as a leading destination for cultural, heritage and tourism events that contribute meaningfully to strengthening national identity, enriching the cultural landscape and enhancing quality of life, in line with the objectives of Ajman Vision 2030.”
He added that this year’s edition witnessed notable growth in both the scale of participation and the quality of its activities, enhancing the visitor experience, showcasing Emirati products and creating new opportunities for marketing and knowledge exchange among farmers, experts and enthusiasts. The festival also introduced younger generations to the UAE’s agricultural heritage and its cultural and economic significance.
The 11th edition featured a diverse programme comprising dates, honey and citrus fruit competitions, heritage activities, educational workshops, traditional performances and interactive zones. Government entities and national institutions complemented the programme with educational and community initiatives, enriching the visitor experience with cultural, social and educational content.
The results achieved by the 11th edition reflect the festival’s success in reinforcing its position as a leading national platform for the preservation of Emirati agricultural heritage, the strengthening of national identity and support for local produce. This aligns with Ajman’s efforts to develop cultural and heritage events that deliver a sustainable impact across the community.
