DOHA: Qatar’s move towards self-sufficiency in the field of agriculture got yet another boost as over 300 exhibitors from 37 countries - record number of participants - will showcase latest technology, equipment and various agro-products in the Qatar International Agricultural Exhibition (AgriteQ).
The expo, which is a premier platform for Qatar’s agriculture sector, will begin from March 20. The sixth edition of the three-day exhibition will be held at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center.
The Ministry of Municipality and Environment, in a press conference held yesterday, announced that it has completed the preparations to host the exhibition.
“The exhibition reflects the strategic pursuit of self-sufficiency in agricultural production, which aims at increasing the country’s domestic production capacities and reduce its dependency on imported products”, said Sheikh Dr Faleh bin Nasser Al Thani, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry’s Agricultural Affairs, Livestock and Fisheries.
The exhibition is part of the ongoing efforts of the country to increase self-sufficiency in food production. According to the Ministry’s senior official, the exhibition will showcase various agriculture produce, latest innovated technologies and equipment. Associated activities like sessions on a number of agriculture issues to boost the capacity of local farmers will also be held at the exhibition.
Local farmers will offer agriculture produce in large quantity at attractive prices at the exhibition. Separate areas will be available for the entertainment of all age groups of children. The exhibition space for the event has expanded to four huge halls to accommodate the large number of participants.
The space for the exhibition has already shown a 100 percent increase compared to last year’s event. A total of 313 exhibitors from several countries including Spain, Iran, Pakistan, Oman, Syria, Bulgaria, Sudan, Lebanon, Netherlands and Palestine will participate in the event.
Participating countries and companies at the event have been classified under categories like landscaping; agribusiness technologies and equipment; fruits, vegetables and dates farming; organic food; milk, dairy and juice products; planting machines.
Some other categories of the participating countries and companies include, farm management and systems; fertilizers, pesticides and agro-chemicals; nurseries and crop protection and refrigeration equipment and harvest production.
Dr Al Thani said that the large interest placed in Agriteq 2018 demonstrates the growing interest of experts and members of the international community on Qatar’s agricultural segment showing a key understanding of the significant role that agriculture plays in the efforts towards economic diversification and achieving continuous development.
He added: “AgriteQ 2018 is a major boost to national efforts to improve the local agricultural sector and to reach the highest international standards that enhance its active participation in advancing sustainable and comprehensive development for Qatar, which places its primary strategic priority on achieving self-sufficiency in agricultural production based on a clear plan of objectives and milestones”.
The exhibition, which will showcase innovations in agricultural techniques, will also host a series of lectures and meetings to discuss current and future projects in the agricultural sector with farm owners, agricultural experts, government agencies, environmental specialists and technology providers.
