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THE MINISTRY of Municipality and Environment (MME) is considering a move to increase the area of agricultural land in Qatar.
A source at the MME said the concerned departments at the ministry are receiving applications for allocating agricultural land lots to citizens, while adding that applications are being received for this purpose.
The allocation of the land plots will be based on the results of a study conducted by the relevant departments at the ministry.
The source further said that Qatar’s strategy to achieve self-reliance and self-sufficiency in agricultural and animal products is well on track, and the current local agricultural produce covers a large segment of the domestic market demand.
Moreover, the number of farms is likely to be increased in the coming years to reach 2,000, which would be supplying vegetables and fruits to the local market.
The area of arable land in Qatar is 65,000 hectares, and the current volume of farm production amounts to 62,000 tonnes of vegetables and fruits. This constitutes 15% of the production target needed to achieve self-sufficiency.
According to the latest statistics, the country’s livestock comprises 1.3 million heads of camels, sheep, goats and cows, recording an increasing growth estimated at 21% per year. The production of dairy and cheese amounts to 45,000 tonnes, which comprises 22% of the self-sufficiency target.
Poultry farms provide 10,800 chickens which is equivalent to 51% of the self-sufficiency target. Qatar also produces 200 tonnes of frozen chicken.
Citizens have hailed the sustainable development plans and the efforts made by the country to achieve self-sufficiency, stressing that the siege has only motivated Qatar to direct its attention to boosting production. The country has been working to fulfill its domestic needs by conducting studies to enhance production at all levels.
The citizens have also expressed their satisfaction with the prices in the local markets.
Ali al Sada, a farm owner, praised the state’s support for owners of productive farms, stressing that this support is having a positive bearing as it not only helps boost the national economy but also provides the best and fresh products to consumers.
Sada pointed out that the imported products are not usually fully ripe, while the local products are fully ripe.
Sada also noted that the self-reliance policy is one of the pillars of sustainable development, especially as the farms gear up to go into production for supplying the local market needs.
All types of food commodities, pointed out Sada, are available in the local market, which has proved to be strong enough to overcome the crisis thanks to thoughtful planning which relied on holding strategic stocks covering the needs of the market. Locally-produced products have taken the place of imported stuff in all markets, he added.
Nasser al Kuwari, another farm owner, stressed the high quality of Qatar's agricultural products, while praising the support provided by the government to the farmers, especially by way of agricultural guidance and making them acquainted with the latest agricultural research to boost quality and production.
Since the beginning of the GCC crisis, many farms have been turned into full production mode in a very short period of time, as part of the self-sufficiency policy.
Kuwari said that farms are using the latest agricultural techniques. "At my farm, we use two farming techniques: organic farming and conventional farming," said Kuwari.
"The siege has provided a golden opportunity to boost local produce and achieve self-sufficiency. It {the blockade} has also proved a catalyst for turning farms into full production."
Mohammed al Dosari, a farm owner, pointed to the fruitful cooperation between the farms owners and Qatar Development Bank (QDB), which finances agricultural projects.
Dosari said the MME is playing a major role in the agricultural renaissance in the country by providing the best seeds and organic fertilizers in addition to directing farmers to modern technologies.
