Abu Dhabi, Feb 15th, 2010 (WAM) -- Khalifa International Date Palm Award announced today names of the winners in its second edition 2010. The award ceremony will be held during the Fourth International Date Palm Conference slated for 15th March.

HE Sheikh Nahyan Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Chairman of Board of Trustees of Khalifa International Date Palm Award expressed his appreciation to the directives of President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his patronage and support to Khalifa International Date Palm Award which placed the Award in a leading position at the Arab and International levels.

He also thanked H.H. General Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces for supporting the cause.

Dr. Abdelouahhab Zaid, Secretary General of Khalifa International Date Palm Award, in the presence of Dr. Abdullah Saad Al Khanbashi, UAEU Vice Chancellor and Chairman of the High Committee of the Fourth International Date Palm Conference, held in Abu Dhabi today a press conference to announce names of the Award winners in its second edition.

Dr. Elballa Ibrahim Hagona, Resident Representative a.i., UNDP-UAE, Dr. Helal Humaid Saed Al Kaabi, Member of Board of Trustees and Head of Administration and Financial Committee of the Award, Dr. Hassan Shabana, Member of the Scientific Committee were also present.

Dr. Abdelouahhab Zaid expressed enormous confidence and pride in the high standard achieved by the Award under the directives and patronage of H.H. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Chairman of Board of Trustees of Khalifa International Date Palm Award.

The following are the winners:.

Distinguished Researches and Studies catagory:First Prize: The Dates Production Economics in Algeria / Dr. Benaichi Bachir - Algeria. (AED 300,000 + A trophy & Certificate).

Second Prize: De novo sequencing and comparative genomics of the date palm tree (Phoenix dactylifera L.cv Khalas) using massively parallel sequencing) Dr.Joel A.Malek / Cornell Medical College - Qatar. (AED 200,000 + A trophy & Certificate).

Distinguished Producers Catagory: First Prize: Al-baten's Date Project /Saleh Abdul Aziz Al-Rajhi, Awqaf administration - KSA. (AED 300,000 + A trophy & Certificate).

Second Prize: Al Foah Organic Farm ; Al Foah L.L.C. Company- UAE. (AED 200,000 for + A trophy & Certificate).

The Best New Technique Category: First Prize: Palm Fibre Polymers (PFP) United Arab Emirates. (AED 300,000 + A trophy & Certificate).

Second Prize: Red Palm Weevil Early Detection / Eng. Kassem Tofailli-USA. (AED 200,000 + A trophy & Certificate).

The Best Development Project Catagory:First Prize: Developing the Australian Date Industry / Mr. David James and Mrs. Anita Reilly- Australia. (AED 300,000 + A trophy & Certificate).

Second Winner:(withheld).

Distinguished Figure Category: The Winner: Dr.AbdulRahman Ibrahim Al-Humaid - KSA.( AED 300,000 + a trophy & Certificate).

Dr. Helal Humaid Saed Al Kaabi, member of Board of Trustees, head of Administration and Financial Committee mentioned that this edition was distinguished by some major factors such as the increase of number of award categories from three to five and the rise in applications by72% compared to the first edition. The number of participating countries also rose from 18 to 24, he pointed out. He also noted a remarkable increase in the number of researches.

Arab countries accounted for 67% of the participants on the overall level, but the number of non Arab countries participating in the event also rose by 50pc.

The Secretary general summed up the objectives of the award as enhancing UAE's position internationally in developing the scientific research in date palm and encouraging those involved in the date palm sector including researchers, growers, producers, exporters, organizations, societies and specialist bodies. It also creates a platform for honoring the public figures in the field of date palm at the national, regional and international levels.

The award gets patronage and continuous support from various key stakeholders in the country such as UAE University, Khalifa International Date Palm Award, Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Date Palm Friends Society, Ministry of Environment and Water, Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, Abu Dhabi Municipality, Department of Municipalities and Agriculture Agriculture Sector, Al Dhahera Agricultural Company, Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture & Heritage, Date Palm Global Network, Liwa Date Festival, Food and Agricultural Organization FAO, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), International Society for Horticulture Science, The International Centre For Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Fineline for Advertising and Publishing, Nerva Group Company, and Leftside Design Company.

Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2010.