82 percent self-sufficiency in dates production – The Peninsula

82 percent self-sufficiency in dates production – The Peninsula

Qatar has achieved 82 percent self-sufficiency in dates production thanks to the support provided by the Agricultural Affairs Department of the Ministry of Municipality to local farmers to ensure food security in the country.

The self-sufficiency rate of the country in dates production was recorded 76 percent in 2020 showing a significant 6 percent increase in past two years.

The Ministry has been providing massive support to farmers including fertilisers, pollination and services for preparing the lands to improve the quality of local dates.

To provide good return to farmers for their hard work and investment, the Ministry organises festivals for fresh and dried dates enabling them to market their products directly to the customers without middlemen.

The move aims at encouraging them to increase the production and improve the quality. “We have achieved about 82 percent self-sufficiency in dates production,” said Head of the Guidance and Agricultural Services Section at the Ministry of Municipality, Ahmed Salem Al Yafei.

He was speaking about the importance of 7th Local Fresh Dates Festival 2022 season in marketing local dates in a video posted on the social networking site of Qatar Radio. The festival is being organised by the Ministry of Municipality and Souq Waqif at popular souq