The 11th edition of the Qatar International Agricultural Exhibition (AgriteQ) 2024 opened at the Cultural Zone of Expo 2023 Doha at the Al Bidda Park on Wednesday.

The event, featuring 259 exhibitors, showcases the latest technologies and innovations that could help further boost Qatar’s domestic agricultural sector, which has seen 98% growth in five years.

Qatar’s Ministry of Municipality is organising the week-long event being held under the patronage of Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.

تحت رعاية معالي الشيخ محمد بن عبدالرحمن بن جاسم آل ثاني رئيس مجلس الوزراء وزير الخارجية، وفي إطار الاهتمام الذي توليه دولة قطر للنهوض بالقطاع الزراعي، افتتح سعادة وزير البلدية #معرض_قطر_الزراعي_الدولي، بمشاركة العديد من الجهات والشركات الزراعية المحلية والعالمية.#AgriteQ11 pic.twitter.com/TCxJKwyW6b

— وزارة البلدية | Ministry Of Municipality (@albaladiya) February 21, 2024

Qatar’s Minister of Municipality HE Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Attiyah inaugurated the exhibition.

Minister of Environment and Climate Change HE Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie, Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs HE Ghanem bin Shaheen bin Ghanem Al Ghanim, Minister of Culture HE Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al Thani, Minister of Social Development and Family Affairs HE Mariam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs HE Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, Shura Council’s Deputy Speaker HE Dr. Hamda bint Hassan Al Sulaiti, Central Municipal Council Chairman HE Mohammed bin Ali Al Athba and Qatar Tourism Chairman HE Saad bin Ali Al Kharji attended the opening ceremony.

There has been massive interest in the exhibition from Qatari participants. The country is represented by 108 local agricultural farms, 30 honey beekeepers, and 40 local date farms offering quality products for sale.

Minister of Municipality to #QNA: Over 80 Countries Participated in the 11th Edition of Qatar's International Agricultural Exhibition - AgriteQ 2024#Qatarhttps://t.co/X2kG3tRGqf pic.twitter.com/EAztUPEYLj

— Qatar News Agency (@QNAEnglish) February 21, 2024

Al Attiyah, Qatar’s Minister of Municipality, said local vegetable production skyrocketed in recent times due to state support for farmers’ hard work.

“Cultivated areas using greenhouse technology reached about 725 hectares, an increase of 35% compared to 2019. It led to raising self-sufficiency rate in local vegetables from 24% in 2017 to 42% in 2023,” the Minister was quoted as saying by The Peninsula.

He said Qatar had achieved 100% self-sufficiency in fresh milk, dairy products, and fresh poultry products.

“The self-sufficiency rate in table egg production also increased from 14% in 2017 to 37% in 2023, an increase of over 164%. The self-sufficiency rate in fresh red meat increased from 13% in 2017 to about 19% currently,” he said.

He said Qatar achieved qualitative leaps in agricultural, livestock and fisheries production in recent times as a result of strong governmental support. 

“The state has been supporting agricultural producers since 2017. Qatar’s firm commitment to strengthening and supporting the agricultural sector, and raising its level of productivity, contributes to enhancing food security in the country. This is in line with the Third National Development Strategy, which is the final stage towards achieving the goals of the Qatar National Vision,” he said.

Minister of Municipality Inaugurates the Activities of the 11th Edition of the Qatar International Agricultural Exhibition 2024#QNA #Qatar https://t.co/7MLLLJuGXb pic.twitter.com/6u6elqcda8

— Qatar News Agency (@QNAEnglish) February 21, 2024

Following the exhibition’s opening, ministers and other top officials toured the exhibition’s sections and pavilions.

Ministry of Municipality’s Director of Agricultural Affairs Department Yousef Khalid Al Khulaifi said there were three separate markets offering local produce – vegetables, dates and honey.

“The event will also witness the auction of local sheep to encourage local livestock farms. There’s a dedicated corner for plant nurseries where competitions will be held in designing home gardens.”

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