The Qur’anic Botanic Garden (QBG), a member of Qatar Foundation (QF), has launched an agricultural competition for the schools in the country participating in its wider food security programme, which was inaugurated in October 2017. 
The competition so far includes 13 schools, will see students cultivate fresh produce using the skills and knowledge acquired through QBG’s food security programme. Students will also be encouraged to think of innovative solutions to better manage the land they are farming. 
“Through this programme, we are trying to engage with the youth, and raise awareness of the importance of food security. Equipping these young men and women with the tools and knowledge to grow their own agricultural produce will allow students to gain real-life, hands-on experience, and learn how to overcome challenges,” QBG project manager Fatima Saleh al-Khulaifi said.


Students will be encouraged to think of innovative solutions as part of the competition to better manage the land they are farming.

QBG is providing additional support by advising schools on methods of agricultural production that are more suited to Qatar’s climate, and the use of modern technologies, such as the latest models of irrigation, in cultivating produce. 
The top three schools will be announced on February 26 as part of QBG's Qatar Environment Day celebrations. A jury of experts will inspect the farms established by the students to evaluate the systems used, and the quality of fresh produce cultivated, and will select the winners based on specific criteria developed by the Ministry of Municipality and Environment and QBG.
Raising awareness of the importance of food security is one of QBG’s key objectives, and its ambitious programme aims to achieve this through the provision of hands-on workshops and training sessions for school children delivered throughout the school year. There are currently 90 students enrolled in QBG’s programme.
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