In a collaborative effort between the Faculty of Agriculture at Minia University, the Central Date Palm Laboratory at the Agricultural Research Center, and the Minia Agriculture Directorate, a scientific seminar was convened on Monday, May 19, 2025, at the Faculty of Agriculture's Professor Abd El Tawab El Mahandis Hall, under the banner of:

🌴 Date Palm Cultivation and Care 🌴

🔹 Supervised by:

• Prof. Adel Abd El Azim, Head of the Agricultural Research Center

• Prof. Azaddin Jad Allah Al-Abbasi, Director of the Central Date Palm Laboratory

• Prof. Hamdy Ebrahim El Ajili, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Minia University

• Engineer Mohamed Abd El Rahman, Ministry of Agriculture Representative in Minia

• Dr. Magdy Naguib, Training Coordinator at the Minia Date Palm Laboratory Branch

Seminar Highlights:

The seminar encompassed a review of the training conducted during the March and April 2025 sessions, covering essential topics such as:

• Selecting and preparing seedlings for cultivation in new farm locations.

• Techniques for ditching, spacing crops, and applying organic fertilizers, agricultural sulfur, calcium superphosphate according to recommended rates.

• Components of drip irrigation systems, emphasizing water conservation and proper fertilizer addition through fertigation.

• Various irrigation methods such as sprinkler and flood irrigation, and the utilization of solar power stations for water pumping.

• Propagation mechanisms in date palms, the importance of selecting reliable seedlings and tissue cultures to avoid insect and fungal infestations.

• Practical application of pollination in Barhee and Siwi date palm varieties, ensuring pollen viability before pollination.

• Methods for combating the red palm weevil, injection techniques, selecting suitable pesticides, and recommended dosages.

• Importance of intercropping some fruit trees and crops between date palm rows.

• Rooting aerial seedlings and their utilization in agriculture.

Seminar Conclusion and Certificate Distribution:

At the event's conclusion, Prof. Hamdy Ebrahim Mahmoud, the Faculty Dean, and Dr. Magdy Naguib Rizk, the Training Officer, distributed certificates to successful students who completed the training program, acknowledging their efforts and active participation.

This scientific seminar falls within educational and training initiatives aimed at practically equipping students and enhancing their applied knowledge in the field of date palm cultivation and care. This initiative contributes to the development of their professional skills, preparing them for the agricultural labor market.