DOHA: Under the patronage of the Ministry of Municipality represented by the Agricultural Affairs Department, and in cooperation with Hassad Food Company, 'Umm Salal Winter Festival' is set to be inaugurated in its first edition on Thursday, Nov 21 at Umm Salal Central Market.
The festival will host several important events and exhibitions from November 21 till February 19, 2025, with the aim of supporting local products, by providing a suitable marketing platform for local producers throughout the winter season.
On this occasion, Yousef Khalid Al-Khulaifi, Director of the Agricultural Affairs Department at the Ministry of Municipality, stated: “The launch of Umm Salal Winter Festival in cooperation between the Ministry and Hassad Food at Umm Salal Central Market, during the period November 2024 till February 2025, aims to support local farm owners and provide guidance to farmers, in order to enhance the quality of local products as well as achieve efficiency in production, in addition to increase the economic return to farm owners.”
Eng Ali Hilal Al-Kuwari, Chief Executive Officer of Hassad Food, expressed his pleasure with the launch of 'Umm Salal Winter Festival' in its first edition, at Umm Salal Central Market. Al Kuwari thanked the Ministry of Municipality for their support on the festival launch and the accompanying events and exhibitions, he also emphasized the importance of cooperation and roles integration between state institutions to support local products.
Hassad’s CEO also explained that holding 'Umm Salal Winter Festival' is in line with Hassad strategy, which aims to support in achieving food security for the State of Qatar. Moreover, Al Kuwari welcomed the participation of the “Families of Home-Grown Projects” in the festival.
The Ministry of Municipality has introduced plans and programs to support farmers, such as providing early services with improved quality, while ensuring it reaches the farms in a timely manner. The Ministry has also prepared a training plan in cooperation with Hassad Food, through which farmers are trained on the best agricultural practices, using training courses, field visits, and on-field workshops.
'Umm Salal Winter Festival' schedule starts off with the 'Dates exhibition', which takes place between November 21-30, followed by the 'Traditional Market exhibition' from December 5-14, then the 'Flowers Exhibition' from December 19-26. The exhibitions will continue next year, which will start with the 'Honey Exhibition', from January 9-18, followed by the 'Strawberry & Figs Exhibition' from January 30 till February 8, and finally the festival concludes its exhibition with 'Kanar Exhibition' from February 13 until 19, 2025.
The festival’s operational hours are divided into two periods: the morning period from 9amtill 1pm, then evening period from 4pm till 8pm. On Friday the festival will be during the evening period only.
Moreover, in collaboration with the Family Empowerment Department at the Ministry of Social Development and Family, Hassad Food dedicated a prominent space for the 'Families of Home-Grown Projects' to showcase their products to the festival visitors throughout the festival’s full duration, with the aim of supporting them and advancing their efforts.
Umm Salal Central Market is one of six integrated markets managed by Aswaq for Food Facilities Management Company (a subsidiary of Hassad Food). The central market spans over 60,000m2, and is located at the intersection of integral highways (Al-Majd and Al-Shamal), which links the market directly to the main ports of Al-Wakra, Al-Ruwais, Al-Khor and Doha.
The central market includes fish market, auction hall, Al Mazrouaa’ yard (a space for fresh produce), private slaughterhouse, shaded barns, vegetables, fruits and dates shops. It also includes meat shops, ice factory, supermarket, mosque and administrative offices.
