New equipment to help farms boost output

A number of local unproductive farms have started to look for effective ways to enhance their investment and output to improve food security in Qatar. Ali Ahmed al-Kaabi, a Qatari businessman and expert in agriculture equipment, told Arabic daily Arrayah that his company has helped in improving five such unproductive farms by equipping them with 180 greenhouses so they can start production from the next season. He stressed that the blockade imposed on Qatar by some Gulf-Arab countries has resulted in enhancing commercial relations with Kuwait and Oman, from where higher quality agriculture equipment is being imported at cheaper prices.  He pointed out that local farms can achieve self-sufficiency for the local market in a few years. All production tools are available in the country in addition to highly qualified expertise.  Besides, all the departments concerned are ready to provide support to willing farmers to help them increase their production and market them through shopping complexes.  Al-Kaabi said that his farm is set to launch an initiative to encourage home farming through the distribution of 30,000 vegetable seedlings free of charge to both Qatari and expatriates who want to start planting at their houses. The initiative would start in November. Specialists would offer technical support and answer inquiries over telephone or by field visits to Al-Kaabi’s farm.