Tribune News Network
Doha
Topics related to food security and food systems in Qatar and the world at large, and how to improve food quantity, quality and sustainability of production systems were in focus at the third International Sustainability Conference (ISC 2022) organised by the Centre for Sustainable Development at Qatar University (QU).
The event was attended by Prof. Ahmed Elzatahry, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) in QU as well as a group of researchers, stakeholders and other senior officials.
ISC is organised in light of global population growth and rising pressure on the planet’s limited natural resources making sustainable development an important global and regional target.
In the Qatar National Vision 2030, sustainable development is one of the main pillars, focusing on finding a balance between preserving the environment, managing natural resources, and economic and social developments.
In his speech, Haitham Abou Saleh, Professor in CAS said, “Qatar has a hot and dry desert climate and therefore faces significant challenges in its food and water security, such as the lack of arable land, low soil fertility and the scarcity of natural water resources. In addition, agriculture in Qatar faces many challenges to meet growing domestic needs.” Dr. Haitham noted the missed opportunity to recycle waste and that it should be taken advantage of.
“Despite all these challenges, Qatar’s food security is an absolute national priority, and the government is committed to reducing the country’s dependence on food imports by working to develop self-sufficiency in local production. In this context, the Ministry of Municipality and Environment has set ambitious targets for 2023. It should be noted that Qatar has become 100% self-sufficient in fresh dairy and poultry products since 2019”, he said.
Dr. Haitham also pointed out that the Centre for Sustainable Development at the College of Arts and Sciences at QU is working to find sustainable and integrated solutions to these pressing problems in the State of Qatar through continuous research to develop advanced technological solutions. These research solutions can help agricultural activities achieve food security, address environmental challenges and sustainability by leveraging renewable energies, by-product treatment and waste recycling technologies, treated water use, and advances in monitoring and artificial intelligence technologies.
Prof. Sami Al Sayadi, Director of the Centre for Sustainable Development gave an overview of the Centre and presented the research programmes, objectives and the prominent activities and research that the Centre undertakes to achieve food security.
The Director of Business Relations at Hassad Food, Mubarak Rashid Al Sahouti, spoke about the principles of food and
agricultural investment and how to support the country’s food security initiatives.
