General Manager of Cultural Village Foundation- Katara, Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti (right) and Chairman of the Committee of Mahaseel Festival 2017, Salman Mohammad Al Naimi, at a press conference yesterday. Pic: Kammutty VP/The Peninsula
The second edition of Mahaseel Festival opens this Saturday at the Southern area of the Cultural Village Foundation – Katara, organisers announced yesterday.
Held in cooperation with the Agricultural Department at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, the festival features fresh fruits and vegetables, honey, dairy, poultry and other livestock products sold at cheap prices.
“Everybody is waiting for this festival. Last year thousands of people visited Katara especially for this festival. The number of outlets taking part in the festival has jumped from 14 to 22 which is a good indication that we have succeeded in the inaugural edition of the festival,” Katara General Manager Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti told local media on the sidelines of a press conference to officially announce the festival yesterday.
Twenty-two local farms and six livestock companies are participating at this year’s edition of the festival in which Katara highlights the role played by the producers and suppliers of both agricultural and livestock companies in Qatar, as well as provides a platform for new small, medium and large-scale businesses in the said sectors.
The festival will be a showcase of high quality products from local farms which aim to increase production in light of the current blockade, which has not created much impact to the country, said Dr Al Sulaiti.
“We are sure our products which will be sold at the festival will be of higher quality than imported ones,” he stressed.
He added: “Katara is keen to launch the festival, as part of its unceasing efforts to support national products in its various sectors, especially in agriculture, livestock and food supplies, more so as it would help the State of Qatar achieve agricultural sustainability and self-sufficiency in food production and distribution.”
“Mahaseel Festival is a new venture in the agricultural economy of Qatar, which offers a unique platform that creates an awareness amongst residents about Qatar’s domestic farms and the competitive prices and quality of homegrown produce.
The festival also highlights the effective role of Mahaseel as it is held to improve the production rates within agricultural and food sectors, while encouraging farmers to ensure continuous farm produce,” he explained.
In addition, it will provide visitors with useful information on the vast array of food products on offer and their health benefits through seminars and workshops that would be organized on the sidelines of the festival.
“The festival will feature competitions, exhibitions and interactive events to promote public awareness and interest in Qatari food produce,” he said.
Salman Mohammad Al Naimi, Chairman of the organising committee of second Mahaseel Festival, also spoke at the press conferences.
The festival will be held at Katara’s Southern Area from December 23 to 27. From January onwards, it is scheduled to take place every Thursday, Friday and Saturday until the end of March next year.
