Qur’anic Botanic Garden (QBG) will host a webinar to address Qatar’s food security strategy and the continuity of agricultural production and supply operations amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The discussion, titled ‘The Sustainability of Qatari Agriculture to the Covid-19 Pandemic’, will take place tomorrow at 9pm.
Moderated by QBG horticulturist Mohamed Hassona, the webinar will bring together representatives from the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, Agrico Agriculture Development, Mahaseel for Marketing & Agricultural Services, Qatar Development Bank and others, to discuss various topics related to Qatar’s food security.
The main discussion points will include: Qatar’s supply and storage chains, its experience in sustainable agriculture and market resilience during crises, the role of agricultural research in enhancing vegetable production in the country, Qatar Development Bank’s initiatives to promote self-sufficiency with relation to agriculture, as well as ways to build the cognitive and practical capabilities of students in the field of food security.
Food security and self-sufficiency are high on Qatar’s strategic priority agenda.
According to The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Food Security Index 2019, Qatar was ranked the number one nation for food security among 15 Middle Eastern and North African countries and 13th overall across the 113 countries covered in the index.
Just last year, Qatar achieved 100% self-sufficiency in the production of live poultry, meat and dairy products, and 24% in vegetable production, with projections estimated to reach 70% over the next few years.
Fatima al-Khulaifi, director of QBG, said: “Despite numerous challenges over the past few years, the State of Qatar has successfully secured the continuous flow of food and agricultural products into the country, a testament to the country’s resilience during testing times. QBG is delighted to have the opportunity to bring together some of Qatar’s most important stakeholders to discuss this indispensable topic.”
The webinar will be accessible online through Microsoft Teams with the link announced on QBG’s social media channels.
QBG is a member of Qatar Foundation.
More information on its upcoming events and activities can be found on its social media channels on Instagram: Quranic_Botanic_Garden; Facebook: Qur’anic Botanic Garden; and Twitter: @QuranicGarden.
Sustainable farming is a key to Qatar’s food security.
