Doha: Nestled in the bustling heart of Doha, a historic courtyard has blossomed into a lively center for urban agriculture.
Local eco-consultancy Hadiqaa is at the forefront of an exciting mission to promote urban farming, environmental education, and community sustainability throughout Qatar.
Based at the former Qatar Preparatory School (QPS) site, Hadiqaa has turned the open courtyard into a thriving community garden and living classroom.
Each week, residents, families, and eager young volunteers come together to learn hands-on organic farming techniques specifically designed for arid desert conditions.
This garden initiative took root through a partnership with Qatar Museums during their Countryside exhibition at QPS, perfectly aligning with Hadiqaa’s vision of creating accessible, eco-friendly green spaces right in local urban neighborhoods.
"It was crucial for us to engage community members so they can experience gardening in a sustainable way, just like we do," shared Hadiqaa's Operations Manager, Roberta Rossini.
Growing and nurturing plants in Qatar presents unique environmental and logistical challenges.
According to Rossini, many essential gardening supplies and soil amendments often rely on costly imports from Europe. To tackle these issues, Hadiqaa focuses on teaching resourcefulness and everyday adaptations, employing chemical-free organic practices, closed-loop systems like composting, and water-efficient methods to ensure the garden plots remain self-sustaining.
At the heart of Hadiqaa’s mission is educational outreach, especially aimed at younger generations who may feel disconnected from the natural processes of agriculture.
"When you chat with a young child, especially when you ask them where vegetables come from, they often say 'from the supermarket,'" Rossini shared.
"They really enjoy getting their hands in the dirt and exploring it... Our main goal is to teach them about gardening, how to care for plants, and the importance of doing it as organically as we can."
While primary school programs lay the groundwork for understanding plant biology and the vital role of pollinators, Hadiqaa also offers hands-on workshops tailored for university students and adults.
These advanced sessions dive into topics like hydroponic design, soil-free cultivation, and innovative conservation strategies essential for ensuring food security in hyper-arid regions.
To keep the garden thriving, handle seed sowing, and tackle the heavy lifting in the courtyard, Hadiqaa collaborates with The Student Reach (TSR), a student-led non-profit that rallies youth volunteers for community service.
"We provide them with volunteers," shared Nathalia Shekhani, Co-Director of Logistics at TSR. "Thanks to these volunteers, we can grow such a massive amount of crops... The opportunities we have with Hadiqaa are incredible."
Shekhani highlighted the Giving Garden, a joint effort aimed at cultivating fresh produce. "The Giving Garden was all about bringing people together to grow crops. We’d harvest those crops and stock our community fridges so that anyone in need could come by at any time."
As the cooler months approach, Hadiqaa is rolling out its full seasonal schedule. Workshops for adult urban gardeners, which began in late September, will continue through April, alongside expanded field trips for primary schools, community open days, and specialized corporate sustainability events.
For Rossini and the Hadiqaa team, transforming urban concrete into flourishing green spaces is the main goal, empowering Qatar's diverse community with the knowledge and inspiration to adopt their own sustainable practices.
"People often reach out to us because they want to learn more and reconnect with what’s missing here, to get back in touch with nature," Rossini explained. "Whether you come to help care for the space, learn how to grow organic food, or share your own knowledge, everyone who wants to join in and enjoy is always welcome."
