Oman achieves breakthrough in early date harvest using natural methods

Muscat – The Royal Gardens and Farms of the Royal Court Affairs have successfully achieved the early production of the Khunaizi date variety for the 2025 season — a first of its kind in the Sultanate of Oman and the wider Gulf region. The experiment, conducted in the Wilayat of Seeb, followed several consecutive seasons of trials using entirely natural methods, without chemical intervention.
Early ripening was achieved through the careful selection of pollination timing and high-quality pollen, based on the genetic characteristics of the Khunaizi variety.

The initiative aimed to transform the Khunaizi from a mid-season to a premium early-season variety, enabling harvest as early as April — nearly 3 to 4 months ahead of the typical date harvest period. The results confirmed that early fruiting could be achieved regularly without affecting the seasonal productivity of palm trees.

Engineer Madeleine bint Saeed al Mahrouqi, Director of the Parks and Gardens Services Department in Seeb, said the experiment drew on existing knowledge of date palm genetics, noting certain varieties’ ability to produce pollen twice a year. This trait, coupled with optimal environmental conditions, was key to the project’s success.

The achievement is expected to enhance the economic value of Omani date production by allowing for early market entry with high-quality, naturally ripened dates.