Livestock witnessed growth by 21% this year due to a policy that reduced the exports during the Holy Month of Ramadan and Eid Al Adha, which led to decline in the prices, said a senior official from the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME).
Qatar has more than a million head of livestock owned by 12,653 animal breeders, according to a statistical data of the previous year, said Farhoud Hadi Al Hajri, Director of Livestock Department in the MME. Al Hajri added that the number of owners increased by 31.9% comparing to the past year.
There are a number of barns that located out of the master plan and these will be transferred to the new complexes of barns which consist of nine complexes, Al Hajri said.
The ministry provides direct support to animal breeders including veterinary services like medical checkup, treatments and vaccinations, said Al Hajri, pointing out that there are also indirect supports like provision of subsidised fodders, drinking waters, green fodders that is subsidised by Hassad Food Company.
This facilitates recruitments of manpower in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, and allocation of land plots, said Al Hajri during the fourth meeting of the Committee for Agriculture and Environment held recently at the headquarter of Qatar Chamber.
The meeting was chaired by Mohammed Ahmed Al Ubaidali, member of the board of directors of QC and head of the Agriculture and Environment Committee. In order to reduce the cost of veterinary services, the ministry imports medicines through the GCC unified purchasing system from the manufacturing company and companies importing complementary treatments have been directed to import from Latin American countries to reduce cost, Al Hajri said.
Committee members suggested provision of cumulative support to animal breeders to encourage breeding and emphasised the importance of guidance and raising awareness of owners. The meeting also discussed issues related to food security projects offered recently in particular poultry, fodders and greenhouse projects. Omer Al Ansari, Secretary of Technical Team for Food Security, said a number of sub-technical teams have been formed to enhance participation of private sector.
