As the State is fast moving towards achieving self-sufficiency in food by implementing a number of short and long term projects in the country, various institutions are also contributing to the ongoing efforts in one way or another to materialize the dream.
These efforts particularly related to encouraging local agricultural farmers to boost local production of vegetables and livestock took a fresh momentum after imposition of unjust siege against Qatar in June last year.
Katara Cultural Village has recently announced the establishment of a new forum for Qatari farmers to meet and discuss issues and problems related to agriculture.
Announcing the new initiative, Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, General Manager of Katara Cultural Village, said that the new initiative reflected Katara’s keenness to support Qatar’s development strategy in all fields.
Katara has also dedicated one of its buildings for local farmers to meet and discuss their issues. “This will be a platform for local farmers and farm owners to exchange experiences and discuss agricultural issues, which will help in promoting this sector,” said Al Sulaiti.
In December 2017, Katara launched the second Mahaseel Festival to promote locally grown fruits, vegetables as well as livestock, dairy and poultry products.
It had been organised by the Cultural Village Foundation - Katara in cooperation with the Ministry of Municipality and the Environment in which 30 stalls representing 22 Qatari farms and six national food companies offered a variety of high quality freshly picked fruits and vegetables as well as dairy, meat, poultry, honey, and juices at competitive prices.
The Festival which continued for around three months was an excellent platform for local farms and food production businesses to directly sell high quality products to consumers.
A number of activities were held on the sidelines of Mahaseel Festival including lectures on agriculture, beekeeping and healthy nutrition, how to store vegetables and fruits and gardening.
Owing to these sincere and well-coordinated efforts of government, private sector, farmers and community, Qatar has already achieved some of the targets set for food security and self-sufficiency.
In April this year, a top official of the Ministry of Municipality and Environment had said that Qatar’s self-sufficiency in local vegetable production stood at 24 percent, 86 percent in dates, and about 50 percent in green fodder.
He had further revealed that self-sufficiency in milk and dairy products in the country had increased to more than 82 percent, while fresh chicken and eggs covered more than 98 percent and 23 percent respectively of Qatar’s market consumption.
The number of animals for commercial purpose increased to about 1.6 million heads, while self-sufficiency in fish reached about 80 percent.