Khorfakkan: The fifth edition of the Khorfakkan Mango Festival is set to commence tomorrow, Friday, at Expo Khorfakkan, featuring a wide range of mango varieties sourced directly from local farms. Organised by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) in collaboration with the Municipal Council of Khorfakkan, Khorfakkan City Municipality, and Expo Khorfakkan, the three-day event will operate under the theme "Mango: Our Fruit, Our Wealth". It aims to bring together local farmers, productive families, and agribusinesses from across the UAE.
According to Emirates News Agency, this year's festival will include five distinct competitions with cash prizes across all categories. The programme will initiate with three primary contests: Mango Mazayna (Most Beautiful Mango), the Largest Mango, and the Best Mango Basket specifically for families. Contest participants must submit their entries between 14:00 and 17:00. Following this, on Saturday, 27th June, the festival will host two additional contests: the Children's Mango Beauty Contest and the Best Innovative Idea or Mango-Based Project Competition.
The competitions will adhere to comprehensive judging criteria to ensure transparency and fairness. Participants are required to submit locally produced crops from their farms or home gardens, with official ownership documentation necessary during registration. Additional conditions include mandatory field inspections and verification visits for top-ranking winners, conducted by the judging committee at their farms and residences to verify compliance with competition requirements.
The Khorfakkan Mango Festival provides a direct marketing platform for farmers in Sharjah's Eastern Region to showcase their local agricultural output, including premium mangoes, citrus fruits, and other seasonal produce. It supports farmers' efforts to enhance productivity, bolster commercial opportunities, and adopt modern agricultural technologies.
Apart from marketing opportunities and commercial offerings, the festival will present a comprehensive programme of educational and engagement activities. This includes dedicated workshops on modern farming techniques, mango tree cultivation, and pest control. Additionally, cultural and heritage activities, traditional folkloric performances, daily competitions, and prize draws will engage visitors and foster community knowledge sharing.
The festival will welcome visitors over its three-day duration, operating daily from 16:30 to 22:00.