Committee to implement food security plan

The Qatar National Food Security Programme (QNFSP) has announced the formal transition of responsibility for carrying out the National Food Security Plan to the newly-established Implementation Committee.

Chaired by HE Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassem bin Mohamed al-Thani, Minister of Economy and Commerce, the committee brings together relevant government representatives in order to work with the private sector to facilitate the  National Food Security Plan’s recommendations. 

The Implementation Committee will be supported by a Food Security Technical Secretariat comprising of  technical teams who worked to develop the national plan as well as other experts from across Qatar.

Following the  presentation of the National Plan to HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani on July 31, 2013, QNFSP worked closely with the office of HE the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Economy and Commerce to develop scenarios for implementation. The new Implementation Committee was formed from this process and will formally take on responsibility for food security in Qatar.

“We are proud to see this next phase of work begin on food security in Qatar,” said QNFSP executive chairman Fahad bin Mohamed al-Attiya.

Pointing out that the implementation of the National Food Security Plan required co-ordination across both the government and the private sector, he stated that the Implementation Committee provided that platform.

The National Food Security Plan is the outcome of four years of research and development, including more than 500 stakeholder consultation sessions.

Hailed by international organisations as one of the most comprehensive bodies of work on food security policy, the National Plan aims to improve the overall co-ordination and resilience of the national food system, thereby securing a safe and healthy food supply for the people of Qatar. 

Its recommendations focus on strategically diversifying international trade and investment; improving the domestic market; increasing strategic food and water reserves; and increasing the water efficiency and productivity of local food production. 

In addition to closing critical gaps and building the capacities required for resilient growth, the National Plan brings sustainable use of water, land and energy resources to the forefront. 

It puts forward standards and a roadmap for crop selection, technologies and practices that will enable the nation to produce five times more food with the same amount of land and one-third less water than is used today.

The National Food Security Plan is the result of Emiri Decision No 45 of 2011 that directed QNFSP to build on its early rounds of research and work with stakeholders to develop an “integrated national food security plan”. 

Based on the lessons learned from food policy in 80 nations and the experience of local farmers, fishermen and business leaders, QNFSP developed the National Plan and presented it to the government.

Having developed and delivered the National Food Security Plan and completed the mandate of HH the Emir, QNFSP transitioned its technical staff to the newly formed Technical Secretariat in the Ministry of Economy and Commerce and formerly concluded its work on March 31, 2014.

“We greatly appreciate the many individuals and organisations who have joined us in working on this vitally important issue. Without the support of stakeholders and experts in Qatar and around the world, we would not have been able to complete our work and celebrate this important next phase,” al-Attiya added.