Doha: The Qatar National Food Security Programme (QNFSP) has transferred food security implementation and management responsibilities to the implementation committee and technical secretariat.
The programme has announced the formal transition of responsibility for implementing the National Food Security Plan to the newly-established Implementation Committee.
Chaired by the Minister of Economy and Trade H E Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassem bin Mohamed Al Thani, the panel brings together government representatives to work with the private sector to facilitate recommendations of the plan. The committee will be supported by a Food Security Technical Secretariat comprising QNFSP technical teams which worked to develop the plan and other experts from Qatar.
Following the successful presentation of the plan to the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani last July 31, QNFSP worked with the office of the Prime Minister and the ministry to develop scenarios for implementation. The committee was formed from this process and will formally take on responsibility for food security.
“We are proud to see this next phase of work begin on food security in Qatar,” said Fahad bin Mohammed Al Attiya, Executive Chairman, QNFSP. “Implementation of the plan requires coordination across the government and the private sector. The committee provides that platform.”
The plan is the outcome of four years of research and development, including more than 500 stakeholder consultation sessions; work with experts from Qatar and the world.
Hailed by global organisations as one of the most comprehensive bodies of work on food security policy, the plan aims to improve overall coordination and resilience of the national food system to secure a safe and healthy food supply for the people.
Its recommendations focus on strategically diversifying international trade and investment, improving the domestic market, increasing strategic food and water reserves, and increasing water efficiency and productivity of local food production.
Besides closing critical gaps and building capacities for resilient growth, the plan brings sustainable use of water, land and energy resources to the forefront.
It puts forward standards and a road map for crop selection, technologies and practices that will enable Qatar to produce five times more food with the same amount of land and one-third less water than is used today. The plan is the result of the Emiri Decision No. 45 of 2011 that directed QNFSP to build on its early research and work with stakeholders to develop an “integrated national food security plan.”
Based on lessons learned from food policies in 80 countries and the experiences of local farmers, fishermen, and business leaders, QNFSP developed the plan and presented it to the government.
QNFSP then transitioned its technical staff to the newly formed Technical Secretariat at the ministry and formerly ended its work this March 31.
“We appreciate the individuals and organisations who have joined us in working on this vitally important issue. Without the support of stakeholders and experts in Qatar and the world, we would not have been able to complete our work and celebrate this important next phase,” Al Attiya said. The Peninsula
