Dr. Al Marri revealed in remarks to the Qatar News Agency (QNA) that the self-sufficiency rate of red meat in the country has reached 19 percent. He added that work is currently underway on several projects that are expected to increase self-sufficiency in red meat.
Regarding the production of green fodder, Dr. Al Marri mentioned that the strategic direction is to completely stop the production of green fodder using groundwater and transition to the use of treated water. He explained that the percentage of green fodder produced using treated water is currently around 39 percent.
As for the key pillars of the new National Food Security Strategy 2023 - 2030, Dr. Al Marri mentioned several aspects. The first one relates to local production and the market. It includes initiatives aimed at enhancing local production of several essential food items such as vegetables, red meat, fish, dairy products, and poultry, which will contribute to food self-sufficiency and promote sustainable agriculture. The strategy also aims to reduce the use of groundwater in agriculture and encourage sustainability and climate change adaptation through the adoption of modern irrigation systems.
The second pillar focuses on strategic stockpiles and alert systems, Dr. Al Marri explained that it includes initiatives related to expanding and improving strategic stockpiles of essential food items and important commodities during disasters and emergencies to enhance food security. This involves building a strategic reserve of agricultural, animal, and fish inputs, analyzing operational models, and developing alert systems to monitor strategic stockpiles.
Regarding the third pillar (international trade and investment), he said that it includes several initiatives. These initiatives aim to protect local food producers through the implementation of trade measures, diversify sources of imports, establish a regional trade center, and leverage the facilities of Hamad International Port to position Qatar as a regional trade hub for key food items that enhance food security. The strategy also aims to link external investments to food security, such as investments in green fodder and red meat production, to further strengthen food security in Qatar.
When asked about new agricultural projects to support food security in the country, whether in the public or private sector, Dr. Al Marri said that they include improving efficiency and professionalism in existing agricultural projects to enhance and develop local production of essential products. This will contribute to food self-sufficiency in necessary food items, in addition to supporting the establishment of new aquaculture projects to enhance local production of fresh fish.
He also mentioned that these projects aim to improve the efficiency of water resource utilization in agriculture, reduce the use of groundwater by discontinuing the cultivation of water-intensive crops such as fodder, promote sustainable food systems, and develop a program to reduce food waste and enhance the circular economy, all of which will contribute to strengthening food security in Qatar. (MORE)