The Ministry of Municipalities and Environment (MME), in co-operation with the Ministry of Economy and commerce (MEC), has launched "Qatar Farms" programme.
The programme - which is the largest in the country - is part of the government’s efforts to support and stimulate national products.
Assistant Undersecretary for Agriculture Affairs & Fisheries at the Ministry of Municipalities and Environment Sheikh Dr Faleh bin Nasser al-Thani said that the "Qatar Farms" programme seeks to support the local agricultural products.
The local farms products are fresh and are of better quality than the imported ones. He said four supermarkets are participating in the "Qatar Farms" programme - Al-Meera, Carrefour, Lulu and Family Food Centre - to give an opportunity to local farmers.
He pointed out that high quality local vegetables like tomato, cucumber, squash, pepper, eggplant, cabbage, broccoli, and herbs will be available at reasonable prices during the event at these supermarkets.
"We are trying through such programs and initiatives to reduce the interference of intermediaries in the process of selling national agricultural products to benefit both farmers and consumers," the official said, pointing out that the availability of local products has led to a 50% reduction in prices of the imported ones.
He said in February, about 300 tonnes of Qatari agricultural products were marketed.
In his statement, Sheikh Faleh said that various investment opportunities in the agricultural sector await the private sector, while the establishment of a new marketing centre for the conservation, storage, packaging and packaging of Qatari agricultural products is underway.
He noted that the Ministry of Municipality and Environment is working to extend the local production season to 12 months instead of 9 months.
The Ministry of Economy and Commerce also played a prominent role in launching several initiatives aimed at boosting national production and supporting local factories, entrepreneurs and companies.
The Ministry announced the launch of "National Product" initiatives in co-operation with major commercial and consumer complexes.
The Ministry has also co-operated with the Bidaya Centre and Al Meera Consumer Company to expand the National Product initiative through a partnership that provides the opportunity for emerging national companies to showcase and market their food items at large consumer stores.
