Doha, Qatar: Qatar has achieved a major milestone in food security as local production of key vegetables covered up to 98% of market demand during peak harvesting months.
Highlighting the significant role of domestic agriculture, Director of the Agricultural Affairs Department at the Ministry of Municipality Youssef Khalid Al-Khulaifi revealed that local farms supplied 98% of cucumbers, 82% of tomatoes, and 96% of eggplants and zucchinis during the peak production season.
In some months, he said, market coverage by these products reached a full 100% while consistently maintaining high-quality standards that meet consumer expectations across all segments of society.
“These figures reflect the advanced status of local products and their vital role in achieving food security targets, supporting price stability, and reducing dependence on imports,” Al-Khulaifi noted.
He said that this progress aligns with the Ministry of Municipality’s ongoing efforts to elevate the standing of local produce in the national market.
Al-Khulaifi noted that the ministry continues to implement supportive initiatives that ensure fair competition and give local products the prominence they deserve.
He also praised the productive cooperation with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, emphasising its crucial role in bolstering the value and competitiveness of locally grown produce.
In a related development, Al-Khulaifi discussed the Ministry’s agricultural data digitization project, which aims to consolidate and streamline access to food security data through a unified platform.
He said that this initiative is designed to support policymakers and agricultural planners by providing comprehensive data on production and marketing.
Describing the project as a strategic leap for Qatar’s agricultural sector, he affirmed that the digitization of agricultural and fisheries data is a foundational step toward increasing productivity and ensuring food sustainability. Al-Khulaifi concluded his remarks by commending the indispensable role played by local farm owners in maintaining the country’s food and economic stability.
According to the annual achievements report of the Ministry of Municipality for 2024, National Food Security Strategy 2030 aims to increase agricultural land productivity by over 50 percent.
The strategic objectives include building a resilient and sustainable national food system. Qatar also aims to ensure the availability of safe, high-quality food at reasonable prices at all times. Furthermore, the strategy seeks to strengthen the country’s overall capacity to achieve integrated food security and to adapt to various possible future challenges.
This milestone initiative outlines Qatar’s roadmap toward achieving sustainable food security and enhancing resilience against global supply chain disruptions.
The strategy aims to ensure continuous access to safe, affordable, and high-quality food, while reinforcing the country’s ability to adapt to future challenges. It emphasizes the creation of a flexible and sustainable food system capable of meeting the nation’s long-term needs.
The strategy is founded on three main pillars. The first focuses on enhancing local production and strengthening domestic markets. The second emphasizes the importance of strategic reserves and early warning systems to ensure preparedness for emergencies. The third highlights the role of international trade and investment in diversifying food sources and enhancing supply chain security.
