FARMS
In spite of a challenging climate, farmers have come up with ingenious ways to achieve Qatar's dreams of food sufficiency, creating strong linkages between farms and the government and equipping local farms with better techniques and agricultural know-how.
We were established due to Qatar's high demand and special requirements. We ensure vegetable production and help farmers acquire quality seeds and fertilizers to manage their farms. We have three farms that we fully manage and own measuring about 6.5 million sqm in total. We have contracts with other farms where we help them with imports, marketing, or new agriculture technology such as hydroponic systems. We have engineers working in the field and supporting farmers. We also support traditional farmers in managing the quality and productivity of their trees. We are doing our best as a company to participate and produce more high-quality vegetables and spread agricultural knowledge, with the aim of making Qatar more independent and food secure. We have invested more than QAR45 million (USD12.36 million) toward creating new lands and bringing new technology to increase our productivity and support Qatar's food security. We are also working on the diversity of our plants and bringing in new varieties resilient to high temperatures and humidity levels. We have had great success with certain varieties of cucumber that are able to grow in 60 degrees. We are working with these cucumber varieties with at least 45 farms. We are also looking at many other vegetables such as tomato and sweet potato. There are 1,600 farms in Qatar but no more than 100 productive ones, so there are many farms to work with and make productive. We aim to represent at least 50% of Qatar's farms.
At Agrico, we do everything from A-Z: greenhouse manufacturing, consultancy, design, operation, packing, distribution, and marketing. Recently, we have been focusing on farm development. We have developed a total of 150,000sqm of farmland outside of our own farm. We develop systems for private villas so that people can grow their own vegetables. We operate and maintain greenhouses and projects and expect at least two or three large-scale projects by the end of 2019. Our target is to achieve a minimum of 500,000sqm farm development each year. Our own farm is around 240,000sqm. Local farming will boom over the next three to five years. There is still a gap that needs to be filled by local production. The government is also working hard with farm owners to solve their problems and interfere in pricing to make sure both farms and consumers are getting a fair price. When we started in 2011, you could count the number of productive farms in your hands, there was not more than 10 to 15. Today, there are 400. For me, the increase in number is good but the increase in number is not a solution. Rather, it is the increase of efficiency in production. If these 400 were producing using our technology, consuming less water, utilizing better fertilizers and seeds, and incorporating beneficial insects, Qatar could be exporting within one season. Developing this part takes time and it is our duty to develop this sector. We will not rest until we see Qatar self-sufficient with vegetable production
Mazzraty was an idea we were working on through conducting feasibility studies. Construction started two months after the blockade happened, and we were working 24/7. We saw a shortage of fresh food in Qatar and identified the market need. Because we already had a food license, we could immediately operate the business. Al Mana Group stepped forward and wanted to support its country, so it immediately gave us the go ahead. We also have a great partnership with Qatar Development Bank (QDB). Most of our equipment comes from the best suppliers, and we consulted many professional teams who helped us greatly in this area. We were able to establish a complete poultry project including feed mill, hatcheries, broiler house, slaughter house, fertilizer house, rendering unit, water treatment, and RO unit. In total, our project has 22 buildings. We have one farm here but eight main factories, and each one can be completely independent. Mazzraty is the first project that is 100% environmentally friendly. Every single detail was carefully evaluated in the planning stage. Our target is to have zero waste. In the facility, we have a fertilizer factory that recycles the manure, a protein factory that recycles all solid waste, and a water treatment facility that recycles all liquid waste. Even street lighting was installed with added solar panels to minimize electricity consumption. We hope to lead the way in sustainability and environmental responsibility.
FARMS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Interview
Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida, CEO, Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority
Given its successful performance in the last few years, QFC is optimistic it will be able to capitalize on Qatar's ongoing efforts to create a world-class business environment and attract more global companies.
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Lolwah R M Al-Khater, Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is focused on pushing forward Qatar's foreign policy, sharing information and perspectives that could be useful for regional security and advancing the Qatari narratives on many issues facing the world today.
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Richard O’Kennedy, Vice President, Research, Development, and Innovation, Qatar Foundation
The first country in the world to track its citizens' genomes, Qatar is on track to make one of modern science's biggest breakthroughs by personalizing medical treatment and precision care.
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Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti, Minister, Transport and Communications (MoTC)
With plans for a fully electric bus system and an impressive set of interconnected transportation options including metro, rail, and tram, the Ministry of Transport and Communication is shifting mobility into the next gear in Qatar.
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Sheikh Abdulla Bin Saoud Al Thani, Governor, Qatar Central Bank (QCB)
Encouraging local manufacturing, initiating self-sufficiency in dairy and farm products, expanding into new air and sea routes, offering select visa-free entry, and enacting fiscal reforms are but several of the successful reforms undertaken since 2017.
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Sean Kelly, Project Director, Place Vendôme
Place Vendôme is no ordinary mall: with 650 hotel rooms, a 6,000-sqm cinema with 18 screens, six slides, three toboggan runs, and an ice river opening in September 2020, it is looking to slide into Qatar's tourism infrastructure in time for the World Cup.
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Mehmed Zingal, General Manager, Turkish Airlines - Qatar
With its 30th year celebration of its Miles&Smiles club launch in Qatar, Turkish Airlines is acknowledging its continued diligence to provide the best customer service, with targets to increase customer happiness through innovative technologies and increasing tourism to Qatar for the future.
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Hassan Rashid Al-Derham, President, Qatar University (QU)
Ranked in the top-500 universities by the Times Higher Education, Qatar University improves students' academic success by supporting students throughout their academic lifecycle, from the pre-university stage to beyond graduation.
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A lesson learned
The international attention set to fall on Qatar over the coming years is significant only to the extent that it generates advances in human capital required by Qatar's blueprint, National Vision 2020, where local know-how and innovation advance the nation and promote wellbeing.
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Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, Minister of Public Health & Managing Director,, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC)
The health minister is committed to continuing the growth of Qatar's healthcare system, with plans for more than 20 new facilities specializing in pediatrics, geriatrics, and mental health.
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