HE Assistant Undersecretary for Agriculture and Fisheries Affairs at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment Sheikh Dr Faleh bin Nasser al-Thani announced yesterday that the ministry will open a centre for livestock production research next week.
This will enable to contribute to the development of the agricultural sector in Qatar and enriching the local production of high-quality and distinctive varieties of livestock.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Qatar’s Sixth International Agricultural Exhibition (AgriteQ 2018), Sheikh Faleh, chairman of the Steering Committee for the organisation and supervision of the exhibition, said that this international agricultural event represents an opportunity for local and foreign companies and more than 300 partners to present a range of projects and investment opportunities in the common agricultural fields in Qatar and beyond.
On the efforts to increase production and achieve self-sufficiency in the agricultural sector, he noted that in the dairy sector, the State of Qatar achieved a self-sufficiency rate of 82%, and it is expected to reach 100% before the end of this year.
Meanwhile, the State achieved 98% self-sufficiency in fresh poultry production, Sheikh Faleh added, referring to high production rates in main vegetables, including 40% for tomatoes, 60% for cucumbers and 42% for green pepper.
Sheikh Faleh said that the QR70mn support allocated by the State of Qatar for Qatari farmers will continue for five years, to use it in projects that serve agricultural development in the country.
On the other hand, Sheikh Faleh said AgriteQ 2018 reflects the important role of the agricultural sector in Qatar as the main axis in achieving comprehensive and sustainable development, especially as it provides all forms of support to farmers, and encourages national capital to invest in the agricultural sector and benefit from the high revenues generated by this sector. This provides an ideal opportunity for national cadres in the agricultural field and presents the most modern agricultural equipment, technologies and products that support the development and growth of this vital sector, as well as providing interactive platforms for local and international experts to exchange knowledge and experience. The first day of the exhibition witnessed a series of various agricultural and recreational activities, such as the “Milk Production Competition”, the “Sheep Competition” and the “Meat Competition,” in addition to a number of lectures for children and recreational activities at the miniature zoo theatre at the exhibition.
The State of Qatar attaches great importance to the agricultural sector, both vegetable and livestock, aiming at achieving food security. It seeks to increase productivity by expanding cultivated area and increasing high-quality production, as well as the development of related research and service work. In a related context, the Ministry of Municipalities and Environment provides all kinds of support in a balanced manner to achieve its objective. This has been presented in supporting the inputs of agricultural production through several supportive programmes in different fields, such as increasing vegetable farming, the use of new technology in agriculture, distinctive dates and vegetables as well as the national programme on honey
The ministry also supports those in the agricultural field, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030, and provides a stimulating investment climate capable of attracting foreign funds and technologies in the field.
Qatar’s local agricultural sector has witnessed remarkable development in all fields of agriculture, livestock and fisheries. The sector has used  the most modern technological methods extensively in the Qatari farms, contributing to the development of the agriculture in the country. This has been reflected in the increase of greenhouses, the development of modern irrigation systems, the spread of organic aquaculture as well as fish farms, the expansion and development of fishing ports, and the significant increase in livestock numbers.

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