In light of the National Food Security Strategy (2018-2023), local food production in Qatar has boomed over the past years with the support of the government which enhanced farming activities across the country to achieve the food security strategy by building strategic reserve.
Globalisation, ease of transportation and mobility, and intertwining of interests between peoples have made it difficult to draw lines between the interests of states and peoples, however, living in a turbulent and unstable world witnessing political and economic transformations from time to time force nations to develop strategies that meet essential needs in many aspects such as food supply.
Food security, diversification of sources, optimal use of natural resources and use renewable energies in the agricultural sector, are aspects that receives much attention from the government in Qatar. The government supports and incentive programmes have reflected in flourishing of several local markets that promote local agriculture and encourage producers and consumers in supporting local products.
As these efforts have granted unprecedented stability to the food and agricultural sector, and in order to enhance these efforts and achieve the national strategy, the Ministry of Municipality has started 23 different research projects for boosting agricultural produce in the country. The goals of these researches include activation of extensive researches. The Agricultural Research Department has conducted so far 1,839 analysis on varies areas in 2021. The projects cover agricultural and livestock production sectors.
The department has also held 35, activities, technical meetings, workshops and conferences related to research work.
Among many facilities to enable researchers, the Ministry has already built three mesh houses, one mesh lounge and two cold houses, for the research work. The department has allocated 8 irrigation facilities and a fertilizer unit for grafting green seedlings and a 300 litre spray motor. As part of support services for government palm plantations and private farms, a date drying initiative, liquid palm pollination facility, distribution of pollen and palm tree seedlings have been initiated.
The Ministry of Municipality assured that its agricultural sector seeks to achieve food security in the country, by achieving eight strategic objectives outlined within the food security strategy 2018-2022, and the state’s national development strategy.
No doubt that Qatar will continue to strive to attain a sustainable food system, and it has already taken huge steps towards achieving the goal of these efforts.
