An academic and specialized delegation examines the experience of Al-Kafeel Food Industries Company and Al-Saqi Farm

A delegation of specialists and academics examined the agricultural and industrial capabilities of the Al-Kafeel Food Industries Company and the Al-Saqi Farm—both affiliated with the Al-Abbas's (p) Holy Shrine—as well as their experience in developing, producing, and processing Iraqi dates.

The delegation included the head of the Iraqi Date Exporters and Processors Association, the managing director of Al-Qutuf Al-Daniyah Date Trading Company, and professors and academics from the Colleges of Agriculture at the Universities of Anbar and Karbala.

The visit featured a tour of Al-Kafeel’s date production and packaging facility, where the delegation observed the production stages for date paste and date syrup (dibs), as well as the packaging processes and the facility’s overall production capacity. They also visited the orchards at Al-Saqi Farm to view the varieties of date palms cultivated there and the initiatives aimed at advancing date palm cultivation.

Ahmed Amanah Hassoun, head of the Date Exporters and Processors Association, noted that date paste serves as a vital raw material for manufacturing industries and is in high demand in international markets. He praised the advanced operational system and the seamless integration between agricultural production and food processing.

Haider Al-Saadi, managing director of Al-Qutuf Company, highlighted how this initiative contributes to restoring the distinct identity of Iraqi dates and advancing the date industry. Meanwhile, Dr. Samir Al-Issawi from the College of Agriculture at the University of Anbar emphasized the importance of these projects in developing the date palm sector and encouraging investment in both agriculture and industry. This visit comes as part of an effort to explore specialized agricultural and industrial practices, examine the potential for developing Iraqi date production and enhancing its value-added, and open broader opportunities for these products in both local and international markets.