The Jomara groves are looked after meticulously by a team of seasoned experts. Together they combine centuries-old date farming techniques with the latest in sustainable processes. A traditional falaj irrigation system distributes natural waters from the nearby wadis, enabling farmers to recycle the water efficiently while ensuring the precious resource is preserved.
Date palms are a dioecious species, which means that pollination has to be done entirely by hand, while young offshoots also have to be carefully tended over years. It’s a laborious process but one that’s become a passion project for Jomara. Once fully mature, the trees are known to live as long as a century and are capable of producing up to 150 kilograms of fruit a year.
While the team is hard at work throughout the year, activity picks up around early spring when the date palms begin to bear fruit. The farmers spend a lot of time taking care of each tree and its budding fruit so that it can reach is full potential. This can involve everything from making sure the roots are kept free from grass and weeds, to ensuring a constant supply of moisture with the help of digging trenches around the trunks.
As the fruits start to grow, our farmers also begin the process of carefully thinning each section. This is done in order to ensure every remaining date gains the optimum amount of sunshine, air circulation as well as space to fully develop. All organic waste, including the thinned sections, is reused as nutrient-rich compost, minimising waste and keeping the soil fertile.
Jomara’s commitment to sustainable farming means that every operational action is carefully thought out, preferring methods that have the least impact on nature. For example, birds and insects are kept away from the ripening fruit with the help of a well-ventilated fabric that’s carefully placed on each cluster, completely avoiding the use of pesticides.
