Under the patronage of HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani, the Ministry of Municipality and Environment inaugurated Qatar's eighth International Agricultural Exhibition (AgriteQ) and the second Qatar International Environmental Exhibition (EnviroteQ), at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC) Tuesday.








Ministers and officials touring the pavilions at the exhibition

The inauguration was attended by a number of Sheikhs, ministers, heads of missions accredited to the State, owners of companies and farms, and those interested in the agricultural and environmental sectors from Qatar and abroad.
On this occasion, HE the Minister of Municipality and Environment Eng. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie said the four-day exhibition, held this year under exceptional circumstances and precautionary measures, cast a shadow over the method of presentation and methods of communication with companies and visitors. It, however, found a great resonance among those operating in the agricultural and environmental sectors and succeeded in attracting many interested people from different countries of the world.
He added that this edition of AgriteQ is attended by more than 200 exhibitors, 42 countries and more than 65 Qatari farms. This year's edition also witnessed the establishment of the honey and dates market, which is dedicated to producers from Qatar and the world and provides an opportunity to work with distributors, suppliers and consumers directly, as well as the nursery market for flowers, trees, herbs and green spaces, in addition to the laboratory that examines the quality of the products.
HE the Minister pointed out AgriteQ and EnviroteQ come within the framework of the State's plan for food security. He hoped that this year's edition will achieve its goals, noting that there are a number of contracts and memoranda of understanding related to the production of fodder, sheep-raising, fish production, and organic agriculture that will be signed on the sidelines of the exhibition, as well as launching many initiatives for the benefit and growth of the agricultural sector.


He said that the agricultural sector receives great attention from the State and there are a number of major projects that are being carried out in various regions to enhance agricultural and animal production.
For his part, HE the Assistant Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Sheikh Dr Faleh bin Nasser al-Thani explained that AgriteQ and EnviroteQ are being developed every year in terms of display methods, diversity of fields, participation and their quality, which reflects the State's interest in the agricultural sector and food security in general.
He pointed out that a large part of the needs of the local market was covered by Qatari companies and they have started exporting, especially as the demand for Qatari products is increasing day by day.
Qatar's production of tomatoes reached 117%, while it reached 100% for cucumbers and fish, except for the types not available in the Gulf waters, HE the Assistant Deputy Minister said.
He said there is an initiative to produce 600 tons of tilapia fish in cooperation with Qatar Development Bank and the establishment of two farms that meet 40% of Qatar's needs for this type of fish.
He added that on the sidelines of the exhibition, contracts and memoranda of understanding will be signed to establish 3 factories for the production of fodder and 9 farms for sheep-raising, in addition to the inauguration of a plant for the production of "paper", which is the largest in the Middle East, with an area of 3,000 square meters , and focuses on all leafy vegetables in cooperation with one of the major Japanese companies working in this sector, and depends on naturally fertilized water and chemically fertilized water.
Assistant Undersecretary for Environmental Affairs, Eng. Hassan Jumaa al- Muhannadi explained that this year's edition of Qatar International Agricultural Exhibition 2021 and Qatar International Environmental Exhibition plays an effective role in presenting and proposing environmental solutions in various fields. It also provides a specialized platform for the exchange of international and local experiences and the opportunity for companies in this field to take advantage of commercial opportunities in this vital sector in Qatar.
He added that the exhibition features a number of books , most notably the Agricultural Calendar Book and State of the Environment Book in the State of Qatar, and the first Qatari encyclopedia of its kind for plants in the eastern Arabian Peninsula in cooperation with the Gulf Organization for Research & Development (GORD). Moreover, many environmental initiatives, contracts and memoranda of understanding will be launched that support efforts to advance the agricultural and environmental sectors in the country, he said.
Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Exhibition and Director of the Public Parks Department Mohammed Ali al-Khoury said the event provides a specialized platform to help exhibitors and visitors to meet senior decision-makers from the public and private sectors through pre-prepared meetings to discuss partnerships and potential opportunities.
The Chairman of the Organizing Committee urged the specialists and those interested to visit the exhibition to see the most important technology in the field of agricultural production, and to get acquainted closely with the efforts made in this sector.
He pointed out that this edition also witnesses the organisation of a 3-day virtual conference in the morning and evening sessions with the participation of 24 countries, which includes 26 research papers covering all fields of agriculture and the environment. It sheds light on innovations and agricultural techniques and defines the roadmap to achieve food security and sustainable development.
The sessions will discuss a range of topics that provide the latest environmental practices and products that promote clean technology solutions and contribute to a more sustainable environment, he explained.
Eng. al- Khoury pointed out that the entry of visitors is regulated by registering from home and going to the centre with the barcode that will be sent to them, with the green status on the EHTERAZ app, noting that children are not allowed .
The Qatar Agricultural Exhibition hosts specialized areas, on top of which is the Veterinary Products Zone (VeteQ) that is a specialised platform for veterinary health. In addition is the Food Industry Zone (FoodteQ) which will shed light on the latest agricultural products and food packaging and processing machinery. There are also the vegetable market, which includes about 65 Qatari farms offering the public their produce , as well as the honey and dates market and the nursery market, which are being held for the first time this year.