+ A
A -
QNA
Doha
Qatar aims to achieve self-sufficiency in vegetable production within the next five years, Minister of Municipality and Environment HE Mohammed bin Abdullah al Rumaihi has said.
The plan to achieve the goal would be implemented in cooperation with farm owners and the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, the minister said.
Speaking on the sidelines of an event to launch a marketing campaign for Qatari vegetables at Hayat Plaza, Rumaihi said Qatari produce fulfil about 80 percent of the requirements in the local market.
The ministry plans to fix this percentage for all seasons before gradually becoming self-sufficient by 2022.
The government is providing all kinds of support ” technical, or by providing insecticides as well as water and electricity ” to farms.
The minister said he is looking forward to hear about the challenges that the ministry can help in resolve.
Rumaihi heaped praise on the quality of local produce and the increasing demand for it in the supermarkets and hypermarkets.
He also praised the local producers for their effort in supplying organic vegetables.
The minister commended Al Meera for supporting the producers and providing them an outlet for their products. He said the local products can cover a bigger market next year.
Acknowledging that the supply of local produce was limited, the minister said confidence that encouraging investment in this field would help achieve the goal of self-sufficiency.
The marketing campaign for Qatari produce is taking place in cooperation with Al Meera. A total of 19 farmers are taking part in the campaign this year. The initiative is part of the ministry’s commitment to improve the quality of local products and increase their demand. The Ministry of Municipality and Environment cooperated with the Ministry of Economy and Commerce and the Consumer Protection Department in placing a number of conditions for marketing Qatari vegetables in hypermarkets. One of those conditions is that the products carry a logo specifically made for distinguished Qatari products.
