Nurseries selling plants and seeds are witnessing a high customer turnout with greater demand for vegetable saplings and seeds, enquiries have found. It is also noted that the demand has been several folds higher than in previous years.
Some of the vendors feel that the increased interest in farming can be due to the recent political situation. Earlier, farming was just one of the hobbies for many while this year, several of them have taken it up seriously and are cultivating a good number of vegetables in larger spaces than previous years.
They also feel that citizens, especially, are engaging in serious farming so that it makes them and the country self-reliant in vegetables - taking care of such requirements for a period of at least six months.
Officials at various nurseries said the demand for vegetable seeds was greater among nationals compared to expatriates. Ratheesh Nair of Greenland Nursery, Mamoura, said: “With the start of the farming season, we are getting a large number of customers every day. Of late, we have about 50 customers per day and 25-30 of them are Qataris. We also have a good number of Indians and Europeans, who come mainly in search of vegetables, ornamental plants and flower seedlings and seeds.”
“The major demand is for vegetable seedlings and seeds. We have several varieties of vegetables such as tomato, eggplant, broccoli, leafy vegetables, chilli and others. There is also great demand for seasonal flowers. We import most of these seeds from a number of countries,” Nair explained.
“The season has just started and will continue until March. People generally ask for seeds of vegetables. We also have plants that are brought from large farms in the country. In addition, we have several imported flower plants, which are used all over the country throughout the winter season,” the official added.
An official from Florenza Nursery, another leading agricultural nursery in the country, said the season has started and the demand is "very high" compared to previous years.
“We are witnessing a big demand for vegetable and flower plants this season. Citizens are showing greater interest in vegetable seedlings as well as seeds. We import a large part of our flower plants from Europe, especially the Netherlands and Belgium. We also get supplies from many Asian countries and the demand will continue until the end of the winter season,” he added.
The demand for various kinds of plants, saplings and seeds has witnessed a big jump, according to nursery operators. PICTURE: Jayaram
As the farming season picks up in the country, there has been increased interest in agricultural activities among both nationals and expatriates, it is observed.
