Agricultural & environmental exhibitions begin at DECC

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.

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 yeartarget="_blank"'>