August 7, 2018

Qatar dairy industry undergoes a drastic transformation

Qatar's dairy sector has transformed drastically over the last one year –as compared to only 28% in May 2017, the country has achieved 84% self-sufficiency in dairy products this year and they are not stopping there.

Four new projects to further boost the production of dairy products are expected to be implemented in the next few months, according to a senior official at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME).

The 56% increase in self-sufficiency rate is one of the many positive outcomes of the siege imposed on Qatar by the blockading countries, Farhoud Hadi Al Hajri, Director of Livestock Department at the MME explained.

He added, "Earlier, we were more dependent on importing these products. But the new policy aims at achieving full sufficiency in dairy products."

While in conversation with a local TV channel, Al Hajri commended both the government's efforts in supporting the animal breeders as well as investments and projects led by the private sector to develop a more enabled dairy industry in Qatar

Baladna Food Industries, Qatar's largest producer of fresh dairy, has continuously increased milk production and other dairy products over the last year.

Additionally, the MME has provided farmers with all the support and assistance to increase production of livestock and breeding. At present, there are an estimated 1.5 million livestock in Qatar, which includes 40,000 cows.

Six animal complexes across the country, consisting 5,087 blocks and house around 350,000 livestock, were given electricity supply by the Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa).

In view of achieving food security, the MME has allocated a QR105 million (US$28.84 million) budget in 2018 to support the agricultural, fish and livestock sectors with a total of QR70 million (US$19.2 million) budget for the next five years, has been set aside.

"Livestock is considered one of the main pillars of food security as it includes meat, milk, cheese and poultry, which are all contributing factors to achieving food security. And due to the government and private sector's efforts, production has risen significantly," Al Hajri said.