With timely formulated policies and constant efforts in implementing them, Qatar is fast moving towards achieving self-sufficiency in many food items including vegetables. With every passing year, local produce is witnessing an increase also creating more opportunities and encouragement for local farmers.
The cultivated land of Qatar has reached over 13,430 hectares which produced 772,829 tonnes of fruits, vegetables, grains and green fodders in 2021. According to statistics of the Agricultural Affairs Department of the Ministry of Municipality, the production of vegetables which were cultivated on over 2,766 hectares reached a huge 101,882 tonnes in 2021. As much as 29,933 tonnes of fruits were produced on 2,703 hectares areas of cultivated lands.
The cultivated lands for grains recorded 394 hectares during the period of study which gave 3,305 tonnes of grains. To support livestock sector, green fodder were cultivated at 7,566 hectares of arable lands which produced a huge 637,706 tonnes of fodders in 2021.
The growing arable lands and agricultural production show the success of Qatar National Food Security Strategy 2018-2023 which aims to increase production of local vegetables and table eggs to 70 percent, fish to 90 percent, shrimp to 100 percent and production of red meat to 30 percent of total domestic demand by 2023.
The National Food Security Strategy is being implemented in coordination with the authorities concerned like the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The strategy is run by the Food Security Department at the Ministry of Municipality with members from all ministries. Qatar made remarkable achievements in food security despite the difficulties and challenges that the country faced during the years 2017-2021, as well as the harsh climatic and environmental conditions it is facing.
Meanwhile, Qatar has achieved 82 percent self-sufficiency in dates production thanks to the support provided by the Agricultural Affairs Department of the Ministry of Municipality to local farmers to ensure food security in the country. The self-sufficiency rate of the country in dates production was recorded 76 percent in 2020 showing a significant 6 percent increase in past two years. The Ministry has been providing massive support to farmers including fertilisers, pollination and services for preparing the lands to improve the quality of local dates. The Ministry of Municipality has said that the commercial agricultural projects, launched under National Strategy for Food Security (2018-23), are expected to contribute an increase in income of agricultural sector of the country by more than QR300m.
In 2021, as many as 11 projects and a number of initiatives were launched to boost agricultural, livestock and fish production in the country to ensure food security.
