DOHA: Fresh vegetables from local farms and a variety of fish and poultry products will be on offer at low prices at three exclusive winter markets that will open on Thursday. A new market will open in Al Wakra this year, besides the Al Mazrooah yard in Umm Salal Ali and the Al Khor and Al Dahkira yard in Al Khor, the Ministry of Environment said yesterday.
The markets provide an opportunity to Qatari farmers and fishermen to sell fresh fish and vegetables to the public without intermediaries. Customers benefit from the low prices offered by the producers.
The Ministry of Environment launched the initiative in 2002 with the Al Mazrooah yard, while the Al Khor and Dakhira yard was added last year. The three markets will be open three days a week (Thursday-Friday-Saturday) from 7 am to 5 pm.
The Ministry said that the market ensures that both producer and consumer get a fair price for the goods, and a distinct marketing approach has been adopted to guarantee the quality of Qatari products. This will create an increased demand for these products and serve as an incentive for the country to increase investment in agriculture.
The Al Wakrah yard located opposite the Wakra Hospital roundabout will open at 9am on Thursday featuring fresh vegetables, fruits, ornamental plants and other products related to agriculture. Qatar’s 20 leading vegetable farms will bring their products to this open market.
A variety of locally produced poultry including chicken, ducks, geese, turkeys, pigeons, rabbits besides eggs will also be on offer. Naffco company will bring fresh fruit to the market at relatively low prices and Qatfa company will offer a good selection and ornamental plants and other agriculture related products. Almzrooah yard, located in Umm Salal Ali opposite to Veterinary Centre sold approximately 1,340 tons of vegetables, and about 725 tons of fruit, 32 tons of fish, 700 animals and about 3,000 domestic birds. This season, there will be major changes in Almazrooah yard, said the ministry. The livestock yard will have a dedicated space for slaughtering animals and a store selling animal feed. It has the huge display of fresh vegetables from 34 of the largest farms in the country and a special offer for fruit from Naffco company. It also includes a display of flowers and agricultural equipment by Qatfa company, besides fresh fish, sheep, goats, cows and camels and a wide range of poultry.
Alkhor and AlDhakhira yard is located opposite the Alkhor industrial roundabout, Last year it sold about 650 tons of fresh vegetables, 238 tons of fruit and some 1,200 domestic bird. Fresh fish and poultry will be included this year. Naffco and Qatfa companies will also offer their products at the market. The ministry said it had conducted workshops and training sessions to raise the efficiency of the participating farms, and help them adopt modern marketing methods.The Peninsula
