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The 13th Qatar International Agricultural Exhibition (AgriteQ 2026) concluded Monday at Katara Cultural Village, reaffirming its position as a major regional hub for advancing agriculture, farming and related industries.The exhibition brought together key stakeholders from across the agricultural sector, including policymakers, researchers, private companies, entrepreneurs and international experts.Throughout the event, participants showcased cutting-edge technologies, shared expertise and explored opportunities to strengthen local agricultural production.AgriteQ served as an important platform for knowledge exchange and the promotion of modern practices that enhance productivity while conserving natural resources.The event recorded strong public turnout, with large numbers of visitors from diverse backgrounds attending the exhibition to explore its various sections and enjoy accompanying activities and events.In addition, many students from schools across the country visited the exhibition and participated in its educational and interactive programmes.The exhibition programme featured panel discussions and workshops addressing key themes such as sustainable supply chains, digital transformation in agriculture and the role of research in building resilient food systems.AgriteQ 2026 saw the participation of more than 250 companies from 28 countries, along with approximately 114 local farms.A number of foreign embassies in Qatar also took part, setting up dedicated kiosks to showcase their distinctive agricultural products. 

Mazzraty has highlighted how its integrated agricultural model is strengthening food security while expanding exports and launching new health-focused dairy innovations during the 13th Qatar International Agricultural Exhibition (AgriteQ 2026).Adel Aboulaila, general manager of the Dairy Division at Al Mana Holding Group, said that Mazzraty used its golden sponsorship platform to reinforce the message that “Qatar’s agricultural sector is not only growing – it is evolving”.He described Mazzraty as a fully integrated operation spanning cow and goat farms, processing factories, agri-farms for grasses and vegetables, as well as poultry, fertiliser and animal feed divisions.“We are participating with all our divisions: poultry, dairy, agri-farm, fertiliser, and animal feed,” Aboulaila said.He stressed that exhibitions such as AgriteQ provide both B2B (business to business) and B2C (business to consumer) opportunities, strengthening supply chains while opening export doors.“For B2B, many suppliers are coming here; we can make some good deals for our raw materials,” Aboulaila said. “And also some people who are coming from abroad. It’s also a good chance for exporting our products.”He said that Mazzraty products are already available in Oman and Bahrain, with further export channels in progress.The participation also supports engagement with HORECA (hotel, restaurant and café/catering) clients and enhances consumer awareness.“For B2C, it’s a good chance to create awareness about our products,” Aboulailasaid. “Some of our new products were launched during the exhibition.”Among the highlights was the launch of Mazzraty’s new “Pro Line”, which focuses on high-protein, low-fat dairy, and hydration solutions.“This is mainly for the healthy products,” Aboulaila said.The line includes Greek-style drinkable yoghurt, stirred yoghurt in plain and vegetable varieties, as well as electrolyte dehydration drinks.“Importantly, the products contain no added sugar. The sweeteners are coming from the fruits itself,” he noted, citing strawberry and beet variations.The new portfolio introduces children’s desserts, including chocolate pudding, vanilla pudding, cream caramel, and pistachio pudding.Beyond product launches, Aboulaila reflected on Qatar’s agricultural progress.“There has been a lot of developments that have happened in Qatar in the last few years, including many projects and Qatari companies,” he added. 

Qatar has taken part in the 49th session of the Governing Council of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in Rome. Qatar was represented at the meetings by Her Excellency the Minister of State for International Co-operation Dr Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser al-Misnad. In her address, she stated that this year’s meetings, under the theme From Farm to Market: Investing with Young Entrepreneurs, reflect a fundamental truth that the future of food security depends on empowering young people in rural communities to be producers, innovators, and leaders of change in food systems. Highlighting that Qatar has been a member of the IFAD since the late 1970s, driven by its belief in the importance of agricultural development and rural transformation, HE Dr al-Misnad expressed the country’s pride in the institutional maturity that the IFAD has achieved and its tangible ability to improve the lives of small producers and rural communities, in line with the vision of the wise leadership that places people at the heart of development efforts. She emphasised that Qatar has made food security a national priority and a key pillar of its international co-operation. Through its partnerships and development programmes, it continues to support the building of more resilient food systems, enhance local production, and assist communities in facing climate and economic challenges in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. Noting that the meetings were being held amidst increasing global challenges, including resource scarcity, climate change, and supply chain disruptions, the minister said that these challenges simultaneously present a real opportunity to unleash the potential of young people in rural areas, empowering them to become entrepreneurs and innovators in the agriculture and food sector. Out of this conviction, HE Dr al-Misnad said, Qatar’s partnership with the IFAD focuses on three main pillars: strengthening resilient food systems, enabling young entrepreneurs to transition from farm to market, and accelerating innovation and digital transformation in the agricultural sector. She added that Qatar views the IFAD as a key partner in translating international commitments into tangible impact on the ground, noting that the shared mission is clear: to empower rural families, support youth, and build more resilient and equitable food systems. The minister emphasised that investing in productive youth is an investment in the future of all humanity, and that Qatar will continue to work with the IFAD and all partners to ensure that rural youth have the opportunities that enable them to be active participants and leaders in global food systems.  

Italy’s agricultural, fisheries, and forestry exports to Qatar witnessed a 31.5% increase in 2025, according to data shared by the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) Doha on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the ‘Week of Italian Cuisine in the World’.The anniversary celebration was highlighted by a conference titled ‘Italian Cooking: Health, Culture, and Innovation’, held at the Sidra Medicine Auditorium Wednesday. The event, organised by ITA Doha and the Trade Office of the Embassy of Italy in Qatar, in collaboration with Sidra Medicine and OnFoods, gathered over 100 participants, including nutrition experts, medical professionals, and representatives of the Italian-Qatari business community.In a statement, ITA Doha noted: “In line with the topics covered by the conference, as well as with Italy’s contribution to healthy and sustainable diets, recent trade data further illustrates the strength of Italian agri-food sectors in Qatar. “Agricultural, fisheries and forestry exports reached an increase of 31.5% in 2025, reaffirming Italy’s strong position as a supplier of premium agricultural goods to Qatar, with processed foods continuing to represent a solid pillar of bilateral trade.” ITA Doha added: “The sharp rise in primary agricultural products also reflects Qatar’s growing demand for Italian quality and signals promising opportunities to further expand Italy’s export presence in the market.”In his opening speech, Italian ambassador Paolo Toschi underscored the strength of ties between Qatar and Italy by recognising Sidra Medicine as a cornerstone of Qatar’s health system and praising the many Italian professionals contributing daily to its success.Toschi described the first official visit of Italy’s Minister of Health, Professor Orazio Schillaci, in April 2025 as “a milestone that opened new pathways for collaboration in healthcare.” The ambassador’s speech also described Sidra not only as “a symbol of excellence in Qatar” but also as a bridge for deeper institutional cooperation, reinforcing how shared expertise and cultural exchange continue to advance bilateral relations.He emphasised, “Italy is one of the healthiest countries in the world, also thanks to the Italian diet. The conference successfully combined science, nutrition, and gastronomy, celebrating Italian culinary culture and reinforcing the strong trade and cultural ties between Italy and Qatar.” The conference, moderated by Professor Mamoun Elawad, chief of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition and head of Inflammatory Bowel Disorders at Sidra Medicine, opened with the welcome remarks from Sam Lock, executive director, Commercial Development at Sidra Medicine, and Dr Muhammad Ali Hameed, executive director, Research Core Facilities at Sidra Medicine.The programme featured a key presentation by Professor Cristian Del Bo’ of the University of Milan, who highlighted the scientific evidence positioning Italian cuisine as a model of a healthy and sustainable Mediterranean diet, as well as by Dr Annalisa Terranegra of Sidra Medicine, who presented the role of precision nutrition in personalised patient care. The event concluded with a tasting of healthy Italian cuisine by chef Marco Consalvo, showcasing Italy’s culinary excellence.

The Ministry of Municipality Organising and Supervisory Committee of the 13th Qatar International Agricultural Exhibition 2026 has announced the launch of the photography competition 'Lens of Qatari Agriculture', in partnership with the Qatar Photography Center, in conjunction with the start of preparations for the 2026 edition of the exhibition.The competition aims to highlight the added value of the local agricultural sector as a key pillar in achieving Qatar National Vision 2030, while anticipating the future needs in the areas of food security and sustainability.It seeks to employ artistic creativity and modern technologies to shed light on the aesthetic aspects of Qatar’s agricultural landscapes.Youssef Khalid al-Khelaifi, Chairman of the Organizing and Supervisory Committee of the 13th Qatar International Agricultural Exhibition 2026, said that this competition comes within the Ministry’s efforts to connect this vital sector with the community through visual arts.He added: “We see this initiative as an effective way to showcase Qatar’s agricultural success stories and to highlight our commitment to the highest international standards in sustainable agricultural production.”Meanwhile, Jassim al-Buainain, Director of Qatar Photography Center, confirmed that the 'Lens of Qatari Agriculture' competition opens new horizons for photographers to showcase their creativity and document the stages of agricultural development in Qatar. “We are confident that this initiative will contribute to strengthening the country’s position on the global map and presenting visual content that aligns with international trends supporting the environment and sustainability,” he said.Participation applications will be accepted from October 12, until the end of the photography period on January 15, 2026, and the winners will be announced on February 11, 2026, on the sidelines of the upcoming Qatar International Agricultural Exhibition.The competition will run for three months and aims to document the beauty and diversity of Qatar’s agricultural landscape through the lenses of both professional and amateur photographers alike. The winning photos will be displayed during the Qatar International Agricultural Exhibition 2026, embodying a constructive partnership between government institutions and the cultural and artistic sectors, reflecting the harmony between the Third National Development Strategy and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Ministry of Municipality's Agricultural Affairs Department and the Agricultural Research Department, in co-operation with Mahaseel for Marketing and Agricultural Services, a subsidiary of Hassad Food Company, organised a guidance programme on 'Managing Plant Water Requirements: Principles of Irrigation Calculation and Determining Quantities'. The programme was held at the Agricultural Guidance Center affiliated with Hassad Food, with the participation of 34 agriculture engineers and local farm managers. It addressed the importance of understanding Qatar’s water resources and their current situation, reviewed the key challenges related to their management, and introduced the principles of determining plant water requirements and scientifically accurate and efficient methods for calculating irrigation quantities. The programme also presented a number of proposals, most notably: developing an electronic application for managing plant water requirements, enhancing the practical and applied aspects of training programmes, and collecting farm data under the supervision of the Ministry of Municipality to issue periodic recommendations on irrigation water quantities. These steps aim to improve the efficiency of water resource use in the country’s agricultural sector. An interactive test was conducted for participants to reinforce the acquired knowledge. They received certificates at the conclusion.