The new season will be the longest till date, running for eight months, and some enhancements have also been made at the markets for the benefit of customers.
The MME also said it was making necessary preparations to open two new yards at Muaither and Al Ruwais. Work is currently under way to complete construction at the new facilities, and the ministry will announce their official opening to the public in due course, according to a press statement.
The Al Mazrouah, Al Khor-Al Zakhira and Al Wakrah yards for selling local vegetables, fish and poultry will be open to customers thrice a week - Thursday, Friday and Saturday - from 7am until 5pm, according to the ministry. The yard for selling livestock at Al Mazrouah, the Al Mazrouah slaughterhouse and the fodder storehouse will remain open throughout the week, from 7am until 5pm.
The MME has also decided to improve facilities and make some enhancements at the markets, the statement notes. Accordingly, the fruits section at all three yards and the fish section at Al Khor-Al Zakhira have become closed and air-conditioned facilities.
The launch of the new season comes in the wake of the success achieved over the previous four seasons, when more than 11,000 tonnes of local fresh vegetables were sold - "helping win the confidence of consumers", the ministry said. Some 884 tonnes of vegetables were sold in the 2012-13 season, 1,984 tonnes in 2013-14, 3,615 tonnes in 2014-15 and around 4,785 tonnes in 2015-16.
The introduction of different products helped lower the prices of vegetables in the country in general, while the quantum of local farm produce displayed at the yards increased year on year, the statement added.
Further, the MME has decided to extend the market season with the aim of boosting local agricultural production. The fifth season will continue for eight months, the longest till date, and the extension is expected to reflect positively on local producers.
The duration has increased over the years, with the first season lasting for four months, the second for five months, the third for six months and the fourth for seven months, according to the ministry.
The MME has also been eager to increase the number of participants, including local farmers, livestock raisers and fishermen. The three yards are expected to see the participation of 80 Qatari farms, 10 fishermen and 40 livestock producers.
Mahaseel, which specialises in fresh fruits, will take part in the initiative this year “with a variety of fruit products at reasonable prices”. Also, Qatfa Co will display a variety of flowers, roses and decoration plants in addition to agricultural tools.
The ministry will conduct a variety of events in support of local production - fish, poultry, livestock or vegetables - at the three yards. Several local producers are expected to take part in these events.
Meanwhile, some 40 new Qatari farms are expected to participate in the upcoming yards at Muaither and Al Ruwais, the MME has said. This will take the total number of participating farms to around 120.
The Al Mazrouah yard is one of the venues of the local farm produce initiative
The fifth season of the local farm produce markets will begin this Thursday at the Al Mazrouah, Al Khor-Al Zakhira and Al Wakrah yards, the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) has announced.
