![\"Lima:](\"https:\/\/anba.com.br\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/maria-auxiliadora-coelho-de-lima-1-embrapa-752x1024.jpeg\")
The Bahia government has shown interest in stimulating the cultivation of date palms in the state as a pilot project to boost local production, provide dates year-round, and facilitate exports to major consumer countries. \u201cRegarding the fruits, we have significant production potential. What we need at this moment is to identify the varieties of greatest interest for production in our semi-arid conditions in Brazil and species that are more favored by consumer markets,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lima reveals that the idea of commercially producing dates in Brazil is not new, as in the 1980s and 1990s, the Semi-Arid unit of Embrapa evaluated and identified species that performed very well in Brazil\u2019s Northeast soil. \u201cHowever, it was difficult to differentiate male from female plants, and when establishing a commercial plantation, the goal is to have a high number of female plants and only a few males for pollination.\u201d Due to this challenge, the program did not advance to commercial recommendations. Now, the project is undergoing a process similar to that of the past but with more scientific knowledge available and in partnership with the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the researcher and doctor in agronomy, by using irrigation, it is possible to accelerate productivity and manage the plants to stimulate earlier production. \u201cBy producing in a period even shorter than in the date palm\u2019s countries of origin, we can achieve a quicker return on investment, thus favoring more income for the farmers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For this new feasibility study, Brazil received 110 seedlings of 12 date varieties from the UAE. Before being planted in the Cerrado and Caatinga, areas with climates and soils similar to desert regions, the seedlings undergo a quarantine at Embrapa\u2019s headquarters in Bras\u00edlia, which has the necessary facilities for this process. \u201cThis procedure is always required when plants or other plant and animal materials are received by the country. Once the sanitary guarantee is assured, the seedlings will be released for planting, which will take place in the state of Bahia,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dates: Making the project viable<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAccording to Lima, investments in production could come from various sources, including the UAE. \u201cThere are opportunities for negotiations through different support channels, so the Bahia government is working to secure funding,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Arabs](\"https:\/\/anba.com.br\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/tamaras-bahia-768x1024.jpg\")
Arabs visit rural area in the state of Bahia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nIn the partnership, Embrapa contributes its expertise by facilitating the identification of varieties with the greatest potential and recommending management techniques, including nutritional practices and balanced water use for these plants. It also includes strategies such as more efficient identification of male plants to facilitate seedling production in Brazil. \u201cEmbrapa, with its expertise, will provide essential technical support for this new phase. The detailed protocol for evaluating the varieties is currently being developed,\u201d says Lima. This set of strategies aims to provide a foundation to support initiatives and, in the near future, recommend cultivation based on appropriate technical guidelines to promote the activity in Bahia and establish opportunities in other states as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe semi-arid region has specific needs to promote competitive activities that ensure income improvement for producers, and the date is a high-value product with significant added value. We want the production to be profitable and to stimulate development among small producers in a region of the country that lacks investment,\u201d says Lima. \u201cThis initiative not only brings income for farmers but also has the potential to position Bahia as a new production hub by leveraging Embrapa\u2019s expertise in crops adapted to semi-arid conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the partnership, Embrapa contributes its expertise by facilitating the identification of varieties with the greatest potential and recommending management techniques, including nutritional practices and balanced water use for these plants. It also includes strategies such as more efficient identification of male plants to facilitate seedling production in Brazil. \u201cEmbrapa, with its expertise, will provide essential technical support for this new phase. The detailed protocol for evaluating the varieties is currently being developed,\u201d says Lima. This set of strategies aims to provide a foundation to support initiatives and, in the near future, recommend cultivation based on appropriate technical guidelines to promote the activity in Bahia and establish opportunities in other states as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe semi-arid region has specific needs to promote competitive activities that ensure income improvement for producers, and the date is a high-value product with significant added value. We want the production to be profitable and to stimulate development among small producers in a region of the country that lacks investment,\u201d says Lima. \u201cThis initiative not only brings income for farmers but also has the potential to position Bahia as a new production hub by leveraging Embrapa\u2019s expertise in crops adapted to semi-arid conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n