The Ministry of Municipality's Agricultural Research Department announced advanced research projects to localise agriculture inputs, including seeds, leveraging peaceful nuclear technologies and biotechnology.
These projects are part of Qatar's efforts to find innovative solutions compatible with the major climate challenges including scarce water resources, rainfall and groundwater, and to boost food security as one of the goals of the ministry's strategic plan 2024-2030.
Director of the Agricultural Research Department, Hamad Saket al-Shammari, unveiled plans for three leading projects including developing the best practices to increase fodder production under saline conditions, disseminating heat-tolerant and high-quality greenhouse tomatoes, and producing local vegetables to achieve food security.
Al-Shammari pointed out that the first project is being implemented in partnership between the Agricultural Research Department and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Aisha al-Kuwari, a member of the second project team, said it focuses on developing and producing new tomato varieties that are able to withstand high temperatures, while at the same time enjoying high-quality in terms of taste, texture and nutritional value.
She added that this project is funded by the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation Council in co-operation with the Ministry of Municipality and the Plant Breeding Institute at the University of Sydney in Australia, and that it leverages techniques to evaluate 239 local and imported tomato varieties.
On the third project Suwaid al-Malki, a member of the project team, said it aims to achieve self-sufficiency in vegetable production in Qatar, by developing new varieties that are compatible with local environmental conditions. This project is being implemented in co-operation between various research and agricultural bodies in the country, and the Plant Research Department provides all the material and technical capabilities to ensure the success and implementation of this important project. (QNA)
