(MENAFN- The Peninsula) By Sanaullah Ataullah | The Peninsula
DOHA: Owing to State's support to agricultural sector to achieve self-sufficiency in agricultural produce, one of the largest local farms is expecting 30 percent more vegetable produce this year as compared to the last season.
'We produced 800 tonnes of vegetables last year and expect 30 percent more produce this year, Ali Ahmad Al Kaabi (pictured below), owner of a local farm ‘Global Farm for Agricultural Supplies' told The Peninsula.
'We have intensified efforts to support farmers in many ways including provision of financial support and platforms to market their produce, said Yousef Al Khulaifi, Director of Agricultural Affairs Department at the Ministry.
He said that the Minister of Municipality and Environment H E Mohamed bin Abdullah Al Rumaihi announced recently that the government allocated QR70m to support farms for coming season.
Speaking to The Peninsula on the sidelines of a Ministry event, Al Khulaifi said that allocated money will be used to provide inputs and agricultural shades to the farmers.
'The move will help increase production to achieve the goal of raising self-sufficiency of the country in agricultural produce, h e added. Replying to a question about State's support to local farmers, Al Khulaifi said that many more marketing platforms will be provided to farms. Regarding the production of local vegetables, he said that agricultural produce had witnessed substantial increase this year compared to the last year.
'The government concerns to boost agricultural sector reflects in the production of local farms, Al Khulaifi added.
About state support to farmers, Al Kaabi said: 'We expect more government support to agricultural sector.
He said that he had learnt about the announcement of the Minister of Municipality and Environment about the support to farmers in coming season. 'We are in touch with the Ministry official to find out better solution about marketing of local agricultural produce and support, he added. He said that officials are very cooperative and he expected better support in future.
Speaking on quality and competitiveness of local produce, Al Kaabi said that Qatari vegetables are better in term of quality and prices. 'They are also farm fresh as within few hours of harvesting they hit the markets. Local farmers are preparing to showcase their vegetables in an international exhibition of agricultural produce slated to be held in Berlin, capital of Germany this month.
Al Kaabi added: 'Leading Qatari productive farms will participate in the International Green Week Exhibition in Berlin. He said that Qatari vegetables will be showcased at the pavilion of Qatar Development Fund in the exhibition.
'My farm will participate with more than 15 varieties of Qatari vegetables, said Al Kaabi.
Global Farm for Agricultural Supplies has distributed about 45,000 seedlings of different varieties of vegetables to citizens and expatriates for kitchen gardens free of cost. 'With the beginning of blockade, we launched an initiative to distribute 15,000 seedlings of vegetable plants, said Al Kaabi.
The distribution started on November 5 last year. The farm received overwhelming response and continued distributing seedlings till the arrival of last applicant. About 45,000 seedlings were distributed, said Al Kaabi.
Regarding cultivating fruits at greenhouses in the county, Al Kaabi said according to the economical point of view it was not favourable.
'For experimental purpose, we produced different varieties of fruits like apples and grapefruits in our greenhouse, said Al Kaabi. He said that inside greenhouse everything could be produced but economically producing fruits was not viable.
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