Local farmers have expressed their appreciation for the Ministry of Municipality Agriculture Affairs Department starting the distribution of subsidised seeds, chemical and organic fertilisers and pesticides on the registered farms across the country.
Local Arabic daily Arrayah reported that the seeds are distributed to grow tomatoes, cucumber, eggplants, zucchini, and capsicum. The department stressed that such subsidies should be only used for the targeted designated farms.
Speaking to the daily, a number of farm owners expressed their hopes that the department would increase the amounts of seeds given to them, as the amounts they receive do not cover their full needs, and they have to buy from other suppliers at high prices, which would eventually increase the overall cost of production.
The farm owners suggested that the department should study the needs of all the targeted farms and increase its support according to the actual capabilities of the farms.
They believe that in this way the farmers would be saved any potential losses and achieve reasonable profit margin that could sustain the continuity of their businesses.
Eng Abdulrahman al-Obaidain, vice-chairman of a local farm, said that the amounts of the subsidised seeds that his farm receives from the Agriculture Affairs Department covers only around 15% of the needs of the farm.
He pointed out that the greenhouse agriculture method followed in his farm needs more seeds than the open-field agriculture. He hoped that the department would review its approach and supply each farm with its actual needs for seeds. He also stressed the importance of adequate subsidies for local farms as these help in reducing the cost of production and consequently decreases the end retail prices of the products.
Regarding fertilisers, he said that the process of importing these from abroad should be reviewed and updated as when the local farms have to buy from local suppliers the prices increase by 40% compared to the directly-imported fertilisers.
He pointed out that fertilisers constitute around 30% of the cost of agriculture production in the country.
Abdulla al-Kuwari, farm owner, said that the amounts of allocated subsidised seeds are enough in some types for his farm but some other types are not enough and he has to buy from private suppliers. He said that the department exerts great efforts in supporting farmers, but there is a need to retailor these to the needs of individual farms to maximise the benefit.
He said that for instance hydroponic greenhouses were distributed on the farmers, which is a very good initiative, but some were unable to benefit from them due to the lack of other operation necessities.
