ABU DHABI // Almost 3,000 tonnes of dates have been delivered by farmers to the date company Al Fao'ua since the beginning of last week - and the date season still has weeks left to run.
By November, the deadline by which date farmers must submit their produce for commercial use, more than 30,000 tonnes are expected to have been harvested and delivered.
In preparation for this year's anticipated record harvest, the date company has invested in larger storage and chilling facilities and increased the number of receiving depots in the region.
According to Dr Abdelouahab Zaid, director of the Date Palm Research and Development unit at UAE University, one tree alone can produce almost 50kg of dates and several hundred thousand tonnes are harvested in the country every year.
After the dates are harvested, they are distributed to several date factories, the biggest of which are Al Shadd and Al Dhafra in Al Ain, where the dates are packed and prepared for distribution and sale.
The bulk of the production is distributed locally, but "after the local demand is met, the excess dates are then exported to other countries, mostly in South West Asia", said Dr Zaid.
There are almost one million date palm trees in Fujairah and the eastern coast area.
While the precise number of date palm trees in the UAE is unknown, the most recent estimate from the Ministry of Environment and Water suggests that there are almost 42 million, with more than 75 per cent located in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
So far, there has not been an efficient and accurate method to count the number of date palms, but Dr Mohammed Salman al Hammadi, a professor at the Department of Arid Land Agriculture at UAE University, said a proposal to use satellite imagery was being considered and could be implemented within the next few months.
@Email:talramahi@thenational.ae
* With additional reporting by Al Ittihad
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
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Biog
Mr Kandhari is legally authorised to conduct marriages in the gurdwara
He has officiated weddings of Sikhs and people of different faiths from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Russia, the US and Canada
Father of two sons, grandfather of six
Plays golf once a week
Enjoys trying new holiday destinations with his wife and family
Walks for an hour every morning
Completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Loyola College, Chennai, India
2019 is a milestone because he completes 50 years in business
No more lice
Defining head lice
Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.
Identifying lice
Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.
Treating lice at home
Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.
Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital
Other simple ideas for sushi rice dishes
Cheat’s nigiri
This is easier to make than sushi rolls. With damp hands, form the cooled rice into small tablet shapes. Place slices of fresh, raw salmon, mackerel or trout (or smoked salmon) lightly touched with wasabi, then press, wasabi side-down, onto the rice. Serve with soy sauce and pickled ginger.
Easy omurice
This fusion dish combines Asian fried rice with a western omelette. To make, fry cooked and cooled sushi rice with chopped vegetables such as carrot and onion and lashings of sweet-tangy ketchup, then wrap in a soft egg omelette.
Deconstructed sushi salad platter
This makes a great, fuss-free sharing meal. Arrange sushi rice on a platter or board, then fill the space with all your favourite sushi ingredients (edamame beans, cooked prawns or tuna, tempura veggies, pickled ginger and chilli tofu), with a dressing or dipping sauce on the side.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
