File Photo: Livestock at Al Wakra Central Market. (Pic by Abdul Basit / The Peninsula)
Over 28,000 sheep have been sold under the joint national initiative to encourage local production and contributed greatly to stabilizing meat prices during the holy month of Ramadan, said a top official.
“The initiative which was launched by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in coordination with the Ministry of Municipality and Widam Food Company (Widam), on March 18, continued until the end of the holy month of Ramadan,” said Director of Public Relations Department at Widam Food Company, Mussa Ahmed Al Othman.
Speaking to Qatar Radio recently, he said that under the initiative 30,000 sheep were offered to citizens under subsidized prices during Ramadan at two sheep per citizen.
“The initiative aimed at stabilizing meat prices at the blessed month when demand surges. Over 28,000 sheep have been sold by the end of Ramadan through Widam outlets set up at different places and delivery services provided by the company,” said Al Othman.
He said that the initiative aims to ensure the availability of sheep meat to citizens during Ramadan at affordable prices and to create a balance between supply and demand to ensure stable market prices.
“It also aimed at encouraging the local production of livestock which saw remarkable growth in terms of providing sheep for the initiative. Apart from the local sheep, some exported sheep were also offered to the beneficiaries to meet their tastes,” said Al Othman.
Speaking about the roles of the ministries and Widam in implementing the initiative, he said that the Ministry of Municipality in coordination with local livestock farms provided the sheep for the initiative on a daily basis to the outlets of the company.
“A joint committee from two ministries and Widam ensured the conditions related to weight and quality of sheep received under the initiative,” said Al Othman.
He said that the Ministry of Municipality through the slaughterhouses and veterinary teams ensured that the slaughtered animals were fit for human consumption and handed over to the beneficiaries.
“Under the initiative, five slaughterhouses – Souq Al Wakra Central Market, Al Sheehaniya, Umm Salal, Al Khor and Al Shamal were provided. Working hours of these slaughterhouses were increased from 5am to 5pm and the workforce was increased to meet the demand,” said Al Othman.
He said that the number of refrigerator vehicles also increased following the demand for delivery services which recorded up to 500 orders in a day.
