Qatar plans to develop 1400 farms in food move

Qatar is planning to develop 1400 farms in the Gulf state as part of plans to improve food security issues.

Fahd bin Mohamed Al Attiyah, chief executive of Qatar National Food Security Programme (NFSP), said the farms would be helped through the introduction of technology in production processes or the training of labour.

Al Attiyah said the programme will develop those farms to become more able to meet Qatar's food needs.

He added that a legislative framework would be set up to "support, revitalise and develop this sector" in terms of research, education, marketing. The plan will be completed by 2014, he said.

He confirmed in comments published by Qatar News Agency that Qatar is working to prepare a comprehensive plan that also includes water security.

He said that water must been provided sustainably, which meant that desalination plants should rely on renewable energy such as solar energy.

Qatar has one of the highest rates of world consumption of water.

The Qatar National Programme for Food Security was established in 2008 as an initiative by heir apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

QNFSP's objective is to develop a sustainable food security policy for Qatar by increasing and enhancing domestic agricultural production, and strengthening the reliability of food imports from abroad.