Saudi Date Farmers Preserve Generations‑Old Agricultural Traditions and Cultural Heritage

In Saudi Arabia’s date‑growing regions, the annual harvest is more than an agricultural cycle; it is a living continuation of traditions, skills and knowledge handed down through generations. As the fruit ripens, growers monitor, sort and prepare it for market or processing, relying on experience that remains central even as modern technology transforms other parts-explicit aspects of the industry.

“Dates are part of our identity as Saudis, especially here in Madinah,” said Fahad Al‑Raddadi, CEO of Naqwat Alnanaa Farms Co. “My family has been farming for five generations.”

After picking, the crucial work of preparing palms for the next cycle—irrigation, pruning and organic fertilisation—determines yields and quality. The flowering stage demands precise timing, while “sarbana,” a traditional thinning practice, removes smaller fruits to let the remaining ones grow larger and higher‑grade. “If you want premium dates, you remove smaller fruits early so the rest grow bigger and better quality,” Al‑Raddadi explained. “If you want higher volume, you leave them crowded.”

The harvest itself varies by variety; some clusters are taken whole, others picked individually, and timing differs between fully ripe and early picks. For growers, understanding these differences is part of an expertise developed over years, and often decades, of working with palm trees.

Marwan Al‑Marwani, founder and CEO of Ajwatech, grew up immersed in this heritage. “We inherited this profession from our fathers and grandfathers, and we continue to preserve it because it is part of our heritage,” he said.

When the first signs of ripening appear, farmers watch for rutab—soft, fresh dates. Full maturity triggers “saram,” the actual harvest. After collection, dates are sorted by quality before packaging for sale or processing.

Although mechanisation simplifies certain tasks, both men stress the continued importance of traditional methods. “Each palm tree has its own shape, size, and character, so each requires a different technique,” Al‑Marwani noted. Al‑Raddadi prefers manual picking to assess quality instantly and separate premium fruit from lower grades or animal‑feed stock.

Beyond production, date farming sustains cultural practices. Saudi families exchange varieties as gifts, serve them with Saudi coffee, and offer them to visitors as a symbol of hospitality. Different harvests become conversation starters among relatives and friends.

Al‑Raddadi recalls climbing palms and passing harvested branches to his father, who handed them to his grandfather for sorting. “That’s the quality control, but I believe it’s really about the connection,” he said.

Harvesting remains physically demanding, especially in summer, when farmers climb tall palms using ropes and techniques refined over generations. “Climbing isn’t really a challenge for us,” Al‑Raddadi said. “Palm farmers grow up doing it from childhood; it comes naturally.”

Summer heat is mitigated by the cooler micro‑climate created by the palms. Storage timing is critical; dates must be harvested within a narrow window, and proper refrigeration is often scarce during peak season.

Recent investments in infrastructure—centralised markets, refrigerated storage, and date festivals—have improved marketing and distribution. Al‑Raddadi highlighted how technology and social media now enable growers to reach wider audiences.

Innovation is also reshaping consumer engagement. Ajwatech has introduced new date‑based products such as Ajwa ice cream, catering to younger tastes while preserving heritage.

Despite modernisation, preserving traditional varieties and knowledge is a priority. Al‑Marwani warned that many of the 400 date types are at risk as consumer preferences narrow. He praised the Ministry of Culture’s Slow Food Ark of Taste initiative for helping document and protect rare varieties.

For Saudi date farmers, each harvest is a bridge between past and future—an endeavour that safeguards cultural traditions, agricultural expertise and a deep connection to the land.

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