HE the Minister of Municipality and Environment, Mohamed bin Abdullah al-Rumaihi, yesterday inaugurated the production phase of the Umm Ghuwailina Green Fodder project, which was launched by the State of Qatar with the participation of the private sector as part of the government’s quest for self-sufficiency of green fodder.
The project was developed by Al-Baida Group.
HE the Minister of Municipality and Environment said that the project comes as part of the Qatar’s strategy to achieve food security, explaining that the government has paid great attention to the agricultural sector to reduce dependence on imported food and to realise self-sufficiency of basic foodstuff.
He added that achieving the aspired steps in this path would contribute to the expansion of the production base of the Qatari economy to bridge the gap between supply and demand in the local market of high-quality green and dry fodder, and the building-up of strategic stocks of fodder at competitive prices with the highest production rates according to the best standards and practices.
The minister praised the practical experience in agricultural production based on the contribution of the private sector, adding that the comprehensive agricultural development experienced by the state during the past years is an evidence of its wise approach and good policies in all fields.
In a press release issued yesterday Al-Baida Group chairman Engineer Ali bin Abdullatif al-Masnad said that the group is working to complete the project on time in spite of the siege conditions, relying on alternative markets to provide all agricultural equipment, fertilisers and seeds in a record time to comply with the time agreed upon with the Ministry of Municipality and Environment.
He explained that the total area of the project is 191 hectares.
The area agreed with the Ministry of Municipality and has been planted is 80% of the project area to produce 2,700-3,000 tonnes of clover per year.