Photos by: Salim Matramkot/The Peninsula
Mahaseel Festival marked the opening of its biggest edition yet yesterday with a large number of people visiting more than 40 stalls to buy fresh produce, dairy and meat products offered by local companies at cheap prices.
Thirty-four stalls representing local fruit and vegetable farms, apiaries and food production companies are taking part in the festival. They comprise 27 Qatari vegetable, honey and date farms, three companies manufacturing juices and dairy products and three poultry and egg companies in addition to Widam Food Company.
The venue is made colourful by stalls representing six farms engaged in the production of flowers and ornamental plants.
The festival is open every day from 9am to 9pm until December 28, after which the Mahaseel market will be open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays until March 31 next year.
Visitors also flocked to a number of food stalls selling authentic local cuisine as well as food trucks offering scrumptious snacks.
There is also a large area where children can enjoy inflatables in addition to a giant tent where they can play various computer games such as VR games making the festival a one-stop-shop for families.
Several and educational activities are being organised on the sidelines of the festival to raise awareness among children and the public on the importance of locally cultivated produce and food products manufactured by Qatari companies.
Mahaseel Festival is a vital part of Katara’s initiatives to support government efforts to achieving food security and self-sufficiency which contribute to the realization of the Qatar National Vision 2030.
Organised in cooperation with the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME), the festival was officially opened by Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, General Manager of Katara and was attended by Sheikh Dr. Faleh bin Nasser Al Thani, Assistant Undersecretary for Agriculture and Fisheries Affairs at MME, Sulaiman Al Nuaimi, Chairman of Mahaseel Festival organizing committee, representatives of participating companies and the public.
Al Sulaiti said Mahaseel has proved the significant role it plays in local agricultural and food production sector as it had become an ideal marketing platform that attracts owners of Qatari farms and national food manufacturing companies to sell their products directly to the consumers at affordable prices.
He stressed that the festival had witnessed remarkable success and development year after year as indicated by the increasing number of participation and the diversity of products offered, which reflects the growing interest of the public in local products, patronizing them for their competitive prices in the local market which in turn encourages investment in the sector and contributes to the national economy.
Prior to the festival opening, the Farmers’ Forum office was inaugurated at building 47 yesterday. A first-of-its-kind in Qatar, the office is expected to play an important role in the agricultural sector by bringing owners of farms together to exchange experiences, providing workshops and seminars that will contribute to the development of local agricultural production, and encouraging investment in agricultural projects. Mahaseel (an Arabic word which translates to ‘Harvest’) provides an excellent platform for local farms and food companies to directly market their products as well as introduce people to the varieties of fruits and vegetables grown in Qatar which can be purchased at competitive prices. The festival is open every day from 9am to 9pm until December 28, after which the Mahaseel market will be open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays until March 31 next year.
