A more integrated support system is needed to help local livestock breeders expand domestic animal production, according to several breeders who said rising feed costs, limited supplies of green fodder, water constraints, veterinary expenses and restricted marketing channels are making expansion increasingly difficult.
Their calls come as Qatar continues to strengthen domestic food production under the National Food Security Strategy 2030, launched in December 2024.
The strategy prioritises sustainable domestic production, strategic reserves and diversified supply chains, with greater self-sufficiency in fresh red meat and other food products among its objectives.
For many breeders, however, access to affordable and reliable fodder remains the biggest operational challenge.
Green fodder, in particular, is subject to significant fluctuations in both availability and price.
Breeders are therefore calling for broader subsidies covering alfalfa, Rhodes grass, clover and other green fodder, in addition to barley, bran and dry feed.
Livestock breeder Salah Mohamed al-Kuwari said that a long-term approach is needed to expand the local livestock industry and further strengthen food security.
He described a steady supply of affordable fodder as one of the most essential pillars of successful livestock farming, saying that easier access to feed would encourage breeders to increase herd sizes and contribute to higher domestic production.
Al-Kuwari also called for designated grazing areas near productive livestock complexes, with treated water used to grow suitable forage crops.
He proposed establishing livestock-product markets within major livestock clusters, allowing breeders to sell directly to consumers while reducing transportation costs.
Al-Kuwari further urged the authorities to distribute improved breeds developed by relevant research centres to a wider number of breeders instead of auctioning them, arguing that the benefits of genetic improvement should reach the sector more broadly.
Fellow livestock breeder Mohamed Saad al-Kuwari said that rising green-fodder prices were making production increasingly difficult for some breeders.
He said the price of a bale of Rhodes grass had increased from about QR17 to QR33-36, while green fodder accounts for more than 70% of feeding costs in some herds.
To address the issue, al-Kuwari suggested establishing a non-profit organisation or company to supply feed at reasonable prices, similar to existing arrangements for subsidised dry feed.
He also called on livestock support entities to establish dedicated platforms and markets where breeders could sell meat, milk, yoghurt, butter, eggs, poultry and other products.
Such outlets, al-Kuwari said, would give breeders better access to consumers and help strengthen the local livestock-product market.
Limited space is another obstacle to expansion, according to Nabil al-Ajmi, who keeps more than 500 sheep.
He said his livestock facility, measuring almost 25m by 50m, leaves little room for further growth.
While acknowledging that local breeders receive support for items such as barley, bran and medicines, al-Ajmi said veterinary supplies are no longer sufficient for some herds.
As a result, he said, breeders are sometimes forced to spend substantial amounts each month on additional medication, adding to overall production costs.
Al-Ajmi said green fodder accounts for roughly 60% of his animals’ feed requirements, making affordable and reliable supplies of grass and other forage particularly important.
At Abu Nakhla, Jaber Mufad al-Marri described feed shortages as a daily concern, particularly because of reliance on imports and occasional disruptions to regional supply chains.
He recalled requesting around 250 bags of dry feed but receiving only 50, a quantity he estimated would last about 10 days.
While expressing appreciation for government support for subsidised barley and bran, al-Marri said the main gap remained the availability of green fodder, which he considers essential for maintaining healthy herds and sustaining production.
Fawaz al-Muhannadi, a livestock breeder in Simaisma, said government support for barley and bran should be complemented by stronger assistance for green fodder, including alfalfa, clover and Rhodes grass.
He also called for selected sheep and goat breeds to be imported for crossbreeding with local animals, saying this could help improve the quality and productivity of domestic herds.
Al-Muhannadi estimated that sheep prices had increased by about 60%, placing additional pressure on breeders already facing higher operating costs.
Water is another critical concern, particularly during Qatar’s hot summer months, according to livestock breeder Abdullah Al-Khawar.
He said high temperatures significantly increase animals’ water requirements, with the impact particularly pronounced for mobile livestock farms that rely on purchased and transported water.
A water tanker costs about QR109 and, during hot weather, may be consumed by his herd within four days.
This puts his monthly water expenditure at around QR500-600, adding another significant cost to livestock production.
Al-Khawar said greater government support for water supplies could reduce the need for mobile farms to purchase and transport water, thereby encouraging more breeders to expand their operations.
Taken together, the breeders’ concerns point to a need for support that extends beyond subsidised feed.
They are calling for more reliable supplies of green fodder, access to water, improved livestock breeds, stronger veterinary support, additional space and better marketing channels.
For the breeders, addressing these challenges would not only ease the pressure on individual farms.
Still, it could also encourage larger herds and higher domestic production, supporting Qatar’s wider efforts to strengthen food security and increase self-sufficiency in locally produced animal products.