Bahrain Opens Registration for “Palm Heritage” Competition to Celebrate Agricultural Traditions

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

The Bahrain Committee for Traditional Sports has announced the opening of registrations for the “Palm Heritage” competition, part of its ongoing efforts to revive traditional farming practices and highlight the cultural and social importance of palm trees in Bahraini life.

The competition, held under the guidance of HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, His Majesty the King’s Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, aims to reconnect the community with Bahrain’s deep-rooted agricultural identity — especially its symbolic relationship with the palm tree.

The contest is divided into three main categories:

Palm Pruning (Takreeb): focused on the traditional art of cleaning and trimming palm trunks.

Offshoot Separation: showcasing the skill of properly and scientifically separating young offshoots (or “pups”) from the parent palm.

Best Palm Farm: judged on cleanliness, organization, and the overall appearance of the farm. (Note: A minimum of 50 palm trees is required to qualify for this category.)

Who can participate?

The competition is open to all farmers and farm owners in Bahrain. Interested participants can apply by filling out an online form on the official website, providing both personal and farm details. Each entry must follow the specific technical rules for the chosen category.

A dedicated expert panel, led by Dr. Abdulaziz Abdulkarim, a respected agricultural researcher and national consultant in plant production and protection, will oversee the judging process to ensure fairness and professionalism.

The committee emphasized that this initiative is not only a competition but a celebration of Bahraini heritage — shining a spotlight on the palm tree as a symbol of the Kingdom’s identity and resilience, historically known as the “Land of a Million Palms.”

Farmers and enthusiasts are encouraged to register promptly and be part of a meaningful platform that promotes excellence in palm cultivation and connects younger generations with Bahrain’s authentic farming traditions.