In a bid to boost food self-sufficiency efforts in the country, Hassad Food, Qatar’s premier investor in food and agri-business sectors yesterday announced the launch of its newest initiative ‘Iktefa’ that aims to turn unproductive local farms into productive farms and increase production.
Under the initiative, Hassad will support local farm owners by purchasing their yearly production of fresh vegetables and fruits, following clear commercial terms and then will sell them in the local market. Presently unproductive local farms represent more than 80 percent of the registered local farms.
The company announced that the targeted capacity for the first phase is around 60 hectares, which will produce yearly around 5,000 tonnes of fresh produce. This figure will increase gradually over the next phases.
Mohamed Al Sadah, CEO of Hassad Food said: “It’s our pleasure to launch Iktefa’ initiative. We hope that this important initiative will build bridges of cooperation with local farmers”. He added “Hassad Food will provide all needed support and services to the participating local farm owners in order to produce high quality products for the local market”.
This move comes with the aim of increasing the role of the local farms, and efficiently utilising its commercial operations, in order to support the local market demand from fresh produce. As part of this initiative, Hassad will provide several services for the participating local farms.Hassad will provide support in conducting feasibility studies for the farms seeking financial support from concerned entities to build green houses, supply of agricultural inputs (delayed payment for a period not more than 90 days), technical supervision for the farms. The support will also include purchase of the farms’ yearly production of fresh produce under clear commercial terms agreed by both parties, in addition to logistical support and other services. Hassad has developed a renewable strategic inventory which includes various important products. “Through our partnership with Widam Food, Hassad Australia will provide the local market with more than 340,000 head of Australian sheep (chilled carcasses) over the course of three months, started in June,” Al Sadah added.
Hassad also announced that an internal committee has been formed to review and assess all submitted participation requests, then select the local farms that comply with the needed specifications.
Hassad Food’s CEO added that this launch was a continuation of the company’s constant efforts to support the local market demand, by supplying a number of strategic products on a daily basis via air freight and sea route to Qatar.
The range of high quality products provided by Hassad include: Dairy Products, Table Eggs, Poultry, Fresh Vegetables and Fruits, from more than 10 countries including Turkey, Kuwait, Azerbaijan, Oman and Lebanon.
“We coordinated with a number of corporations in friendly countries to provide the local market with a steady supply of high quality strategic products, in a cost effective manner. Our first shipment arrived to Qatar on June 6, and since then we are supplying the market with daily shipments that are in line with the market need,” said Al Sadah.
Hassad Food invites the owners of local farms interested in taking part in this initiative, and communicate directly with IKTEFA’ committee through company’s official website.
