Date palm tabseel: Economic and social occasion in the Sultanate

Many of the Sultanate’s governorates witnessed during the past few days the harvest and Tabseel season of Al Mabsali and other varieties of palm dates in an economic and social event that is full beautiful traditions. Tabseel of palm date is associated to one kind of palm date called Al Mabsali. Al Mabsali is cooked before it gets ripen (while yellow in colour), usually called busur dates. It is characterized as big in size and grown in the Governorate of North A’Sharqiyah in particular and in the Governorates of South Al Batinah and South A’Sharqiyah. Mohammed bin Badr al-Hajri, one busur dates producers in the Wilayat of Bidya said that Tabseel was celebrated in the past like Eids. Many families still observe the occasion as part of a social legacy, which has a good economic return for the family. He said that the farmers sell their production to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, which provides support to busur dates producers. However, the farmers have started since three years to directly export their production and search for new markets, as the price set by the government for a ton of busur dates has not changed for many years despite the rising cost of production. He told Oman News Agency (ONA) that a committee was formed, comprising members from the government and producers. The committee traveled to several countries, including China and Indonesia to search for new markets for Omani busur dates. The committee found that the demand for busur in those countries comes in the form of powder to enter in other manufacturing industries or as dates, so the producers had to look for importers in the Republic of India where they got better prices than the old ones. Mohammed bin Badr al-Hajri explained that Al Mabsali production decreased in recent years both in terms of interest in it, or in terms of a much influenced by factors. He noted that the high cost of production, the lack of options for the producers in terms of markets, busur dates losing 60% of its weight after cooking, and the decline of busur dates prices are of the most important obstacles, in addition to the impact of weather factors, like high temperatures, and plant diseases (Dubas Bug). On the other hand, Ahmad bin Hamad al-Harthy , Director of Busur Section at the Commercial Affairs Department in the Directorate General for Trade told ONA that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry is exerting efforts in the field of encouraging farmers to direct export by providing support and facilities. He added that the farmers wishing to direct export can take advantage of the amount of government support of RO 62,500 per ton, as well as exemption from the fumigation fees on exported busur dates. The ministry also exerts great efforts through the Committee of Marketing Busur Dates, which was formed by the Minister of Commerce and Industry. The Committee comprises representatives of the farmers. The committee aims at studying foreign markets, search for new markets and outlets for busur export, in addition to the existing markets, availing a direct line between farmers and traders abroad and supporting existing farmers to direct export. He added that the ministry always communicates with busur farmers and producers to find out their challenges and try to find appropriate solutions. He said that 4092 tons of busur dates were exported in 2013 to India through the company that was contracted by the ministry. He added that exports during 2014 amounted to about 1165 tons.