Food security is the condition in which all people at all times have physical and economic access to safe, adequate and nutritious food to satisfy their daily calorific intake and allow them to lead an active and healthy life.
For Qatar, Agriculture plays a strategic role in the nation’s food security. The country has addressed the situation by aiming to efficiently utilise ‘cutting edge technology’ to establish a sustainable approach to food security for dry land countries.
Qatar launched the National Food Security Program (QNFSP) in 2008, which aimed to reduce Qatar’s reliance on food imports through self-sufficiency. The strategy continued with a 2018-2023 strategy to meet 70 percent of the country’s food needs through four primary areas: agriculture, desalination, renewable energy, and food manufacturing.
Besides, the pillars also include the development and increase of local production of fresh goods, taking into account the proper utilisation of natural resources, diversification of foreign trade sources to avoid exposure to any potential risks that may arise in crises and emergencies, and the formation of a strategic stockpile in the country of food commodities that can be stored for long periods.
Yesterday while participating in the annual celebration of the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) Day in Astana, Kazakhstan, the Director of the Food Security Department at the Ministry of Municipality, Chairman of the Executive Council of IOFS, Dr. Masoud Jarallah Al Marri stressed the importance of achieving partnerships for sustainable food security in Islamic countries.
Dr. Masoud noted that the escalating global crises and growing challenges, such as disruptions in international food supply chains, water scarcity and climate change, and their negative impact on agriculture and food production make it necessary for IOFS members to prioritise food security issues.
He stressed that the IOFS would continue to implement its commitments towards food security issues of Islamic countries. He added that the organisation would provide expertise and technical knowledge, assess and monitor the food security situation, provide social safety nets and humanitarian assistance, coordinating, formulating and implementing common agricultural policies, and transferring technology, and strive to address problems such as desertification, deforestation, erosion and salinity.
Among Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries, Qatar is leading its Gulf neighbours in the Global Food Security Index 2021, according to a report by Oxford Business Group (OBG). Agriculture using modern technology is critical to sustaining food security for countries in water-scarce and arid regions. Qatar’s expertise and know-how in local food production can be considered an example in the region.
