Under the patronage of HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani, the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) is getting ready to host Qatar's 8th International Agricultural Exhibition 2021 and the second Qatar International Environmental Exhibition from March 23 to 27 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC).

 

During a news conference that took place yesterday, Mohamed Ali al-Khouri, Head of Organising Committee of the Exhibition and Director of Public Parks Department, affirmed that holding the exhibition this year comes in remarkable circumstances due to the unprecedented times caused due to coronavirus (Covid-19), as Qatar was eagerly waiting to host the exhibition event due to its great significance for the agricultural, animal and environmental sectors.

 

Yousuf Khalid al-Khulaifi, Vice Chairman of the Organising Committee and Director of the Agricultural Affairs Department, and Dr Mohamed Saif al-Kuwari, chairman of the conference, accompanying the exhibition, also spoke in the press conference.

 

He emphasised upon the necessary precautionary methods set to take place making sure that the health, wellbeing and safety of the participants and visitors as the pre-registration process will be organised for those wishing to attend via a link to the exhibition site. After registering the data, a (barcode) will arrive on the person’s phone to enter the exhibition, in addition to showing the application of Ehteraz (green), while committing to wear the mask throughout the period of his visit to the exhibition.

 

The primary aim of the event is to target the attendance of specialists and those interested in the agricultural and environmental fields. Children will not be permitted to attend in the absence of special events for them to preserve their safety.

 

He also highlighted that the exhibition is of particular significance as it is a strategic platform to explore new horizons for the advancement of the Qatari agricultural sector as it is the backbone of food security that comes at the top of the strategic priorities to achieve self-sufficiency. The environment exhibition is also an effective platform for presenting innovative environmental solutions to meet current and emerging challenges and an opportunity to exchange international and local experiences.

 

He said that the exhibition, in both agricultural and environmental parts, attracts wide interest in the light of vital agricultural projects and promising investment opportunities that Qatar enjoys and unlimited government support, which was evident in allocating QR 70 million annually to stimulate agricultural, livestock and fish production and to enhance the marketing of national agricultural products.

 

Al-Khouri affirmed that Qatar’s eagerness to hold the exhibition this year confirms the increasing interest of the state in the agricultural sector in recent years with the aim of achieving a boom in local production to increase self-sufficiency rates and achieve food security especially after the challenges imposed by the coronavirus pandemic, and the interruption of supply chains around the world, which made achieving self-sufficiency a very vital matter for all countries.

 

He pinpointed that this year's session follows the success of past sessions that witnessed exceptional local and international presence as the exhibition is a direct gateway to access the latest global technological innovations that support the national trend towards expanding agricultural production to meet local demand for food products. All this is in accordance with the objectives of the National Food Security Strategy, which represents a comprehensive framework for improving self-sufficiency according to best practices and the latest agricultural and food technology.

 

Yousuf Khalid al-Khulaifi, Director of the Agricultural Affairs Department at the MME, said that Qatar had succeeded in attaining outstanding achievements in the development of the agricultural sector, in light of the insightful vision and wise guidance of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, which placed the development of natural resources, especially agriculture, at the top of national priorities, in pursuit of self-sufficiency and food security, with a focus on adopting innovative policies, strategies and technologies that serve environmental sustainability.

 

Al-Khulaifi explained that Qatar prioritised the promotion of optimal investment in technology, research and development, and food control, as they are essential pillars to raise the volume and quality of agricultural, animal and fish production in safe and sustainable ways. This is in line with the objectives of Qatar's 2nd National Development Strategy 2018-2022, represented in increasing the proportion of domestic production of livestock to 30% and fish to 65% respectively, by the year 2022. It is an avowed goal to support Qatar National Vision 2030 to consolidate Qatar rank as an advanced country capable of achieving sustainable development and providing decent living for its people.

Al-Khulaifi noted that organising the exhibition comes within the continuous efforts of the MME to support the agriculture sector in the country, including the launch of many programmes and marketing initiatives for the products of farm owners, such as the establishment of national agricultural product yards, the distinctive vegetable and Qatar farms programmes, and each of the pre-contracting program with farmers (Daman), and the daily supply programme, in co-operation with Mahaseel Company, with the aim of enhancing the value of the local produce of vegetables.

 

Al-Khouri said that conducting this exhibition event comes within the framework of supporting the proactive efforts made by Qatar in the areas of environmental field as it is one of the main and vital pillars of Qatar National Vision 2030. He also added the exhibition is an effective platform and an opportunity to allow more growing pioneers to explore promising opportunities within this important sector and directly access modern technologies related to water treatment, waste management, smart agriculture, and others. He said Qatar is always keen on preventing the environment and its natural balance in order to ensure comprehensive and sustainable development for all generations, making the point that the commitment of Qatar National Vision 2030 is to maintain and balance harmony between economic growth, social development and environmental management as well as for a better quality of life in the near future.