Qatar's drive toward agricultural sustainability and food security received a significant boost during a recent high-level visit to Al Waha Agricultural Services Company (Al Waha Farm), where innovation and national strategy came together to showcase the country's growing self-sufficiency.
The visit, led by Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Attiyah, Minister of Municipality and Chairman of the Committee for Monitoring Food Security Policies, formed part of a broader inspection tour across key agricultural and food production sites in the country. The tour aimed to assess the resilience of Qatar's food security system and ensure the sustainability of local production.
At Al Waha Farm, the delegation was welcomed by Abdulrahman Al-Obaidan, Vice Chairman of Edikhar Trading and Contracting Board, who presented a range of advanced agricultural solutions tailored specifically to Qatar's challenging climate. These included net houses, cooled greenhouses, and cutting-edge indoor farming systems designed to enable year-round production.
© Al Waha Farm
Al-Obaidan emphasized the importance of innovation in overcoming environmental limitations. "We showcased our agricultural technologies suited to the Qatari environment, ensuring year-round production to meet local market needs," he noted. He also highlighted the farm's role in supporting national goals, adding that discussions with the Minister focused on "strategies to bolster food security in Qatar and achieve year-round self-sufficiency in key vegetables."
The visit underscored how technological advancements are helping transform Qatar's agricultural sector. Modern farming systems now allow for efficient water use, climate control, and consistent crop yields, even in arid conditions. These innovations are central to the country's broader Food Security Strategy for 2024–2030, which aims to guarantee uninterrupted supply under all circumstances.
© Al Waha Farm
Reflecting on the broader context, Al-Obaidan pointed to the role of resilience in Qatar's development journey. "Crises have long been an important source of individual creativity for determined people, as well as collective creativity for companies with social responsibility," he said. He added that past challenges have strengthened the nation's preparedness, turning adversity into an opportunity for growth and innovation.
During the wider tour, Minister Al Attiyah reaffirmed the strength of Qatar's food production system. He noted that self-sufficiency has reached 100% for key vegetables and 99% for fresh poultry, highlighting the effectiveness of policies that integrate government efforts with private sector participation.
The Minister also visited several other key facilities, including Mahaseel Marketing and Agricultural Services Company and Al Sailiya Central Market, where he reviewed supply chains, product diversity, and trading mechanisms. These visits demonstrated the robustness of Qatar's food distribution network and its ability to maintain market stability.
Additionally, the role of logistics and supply chain diversification was emphasized through inspections of Hassad Food Company's operations, ensuring that multiple import routes remain available as a safeguard against disruptions.
Minister Al Attiyah stressed that such field visits are essential for maintaining oversight and ensuring that production systems meet the highest standards. He highlighted that continuous monitoring helps guarantee operational readiness and sustainability across the sector.
For more information:
Al Waha Farm
www.linkedin/abdulrahman-al-obaidan
www.alwahaagriculture
