Qatar launched a number of innovative initiatives in recent years to enhance food security. Along with promoting production of vegetables, the country also strengthened supply chain network and enhanced storage capabilities.
The National Food Security Strategy of Qatar (2018-2023) aimed at achieving an abundance of food through local production, strategic storage and securing import sources and keeping food prices appropriate and accessible to all.
Now Qatar is set to launch new food security strategy by next month that will “focus on producing agricultural produce during summer” by adopting advanced technologies and providing support to farmers as per their needs. Qatar National Food Security Strategy 2023-30 is expected to be launched by the end of April, 2023.
The new strategy is based on three axis – maintaining the achievements which were made during the previous strategy, completing the remaining goals of Qatar National Vision 2030 and sustainability by conservation of natural resources.
The new strategy will focus on producing vegetables during summer by adopting modern farming techniques and providing agricultural support to farmers according to their needs. The support will be provided as per the need of farmers like inputs, building capacity and services to reduce the operational cost of farms. In a discussion session held at International Agricultural Exhibition (AgriteQ), Dr. Mohammad F Albeldawi, Environmental Expert and Engineering Consultant at Ministry of Environment and Climate Change said that food security is a national security priority and is considered sensitive topic worldwide.
Qatar has placed the climate change and food security at the forefront of its priorities and incorporated such requirements in climate change and national development strategies, among others. Food security is a pressing global concern that countries need to address. Qatar ranked first in Arab world and 24th globally in Global Food Security Index (GFSI), 2021.
Qatar’s self-sufficiency in vegetables increased from 20 percent in 2017 to 46 percent in 2022. However, the new strategy targets to achieve 70 percent. Local fresh milk production rose from 28 percent of total demand in 2017 to 100 percent in 2022. The Ministry of Municipality in coordination with private companies had launched several projects for increasing livestock with a capacity of 5,000 animals from each project which will help greatly in meeting the target.
Self-sufficiency in fish production was recorded at 77 percent. The target is to increase the production to 95 percent. The first fish farming project was launched with a capacity of 2,000 tonnes of fish in a year.
