MoU signed to help boost farm output

Qafco, Hassad Food and Yara International have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that is aimed at “supporting efforts to increase food production from the Qatari agricultural sector.”The partnership will focus on increasing agricultural yields, in line with Qatar’s aim to achieve self-sufficiency in a reliable and sustainable manner.The memorandum formalises ongoing efforts by the three entities to support Qatar’s goal of food security.Over the past months, the entities have already engaged in workshops and farm tests together with several farmers to lay the foundation for a successful outcome.Over the coming months, several test projects will be carried out on several farms to demonstrate the yield potential and create best practices for Qatar’s agricultural sector.The MoU was jointly signed by Said Mobarak al-Mohannadi, chairman, Qafco, Mohamed bin Badr al-Sadah, chief executive officer, Hassad Food and Svein Tore Holsether, president and chief executive officer, Yara International.The ceremony was attended by Saad Sherida al-Kaabi, president and CEO, Qatar Petroleum.Al-Mohannadi said, “Today marks an important milestone in the history of Qafco, Yara and Hassad Food, being part of an ambitious initiative to support Qatar’s food security objectives. We are confident that this project shall prove to be one of the contributors towards the development of the Qatari agricultural sector and strengthen existing relations between the three entities.”Al-Sadah said, “It’s our pleasure to be part of such a great partnership, Hassad, as Qatar’s premier investor in food and agribusiness sectors, aims to continuously support the local agricultural sector.We are committed to provide the needed support to the two esteemed entities, to assist in increasing the local production from high quality food products.”Holsether said, “Yara is proud to have been a partner to the State of Qatar for nearly 50 years through our shareholding in Qafco and today’s signing marks another important step in our continued commitment to this collaboration.“With our vast experience in providing balanced crop nutrition, we support farmers worldwide to increase yields and improve the quality of produce. We sincerely look forward to contribute with our products, solutions and knowledge in the Qatari agricultural sector, in collaboration with our two partners.”