ID :
198603
Tue, 08/02/2011 - 00:46
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/198603
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Qatar to Launch Food Price Index
Doha, August 01 (QNA) - Chairman of the Qatar National Food Security Programme (QNFSP) Fahd Bin Mohammed Al-Attiyah said on Monday that the programme will launch a food price index in the next two weeks; the index will be available to everyone and will provide a daily update on the prices of food.
In a press conference held at QNFSP headquarters, Al-Attiyah added that the index will be divided upon different food categories such as dairy products and meat. He added that the index works in a manner similarto that of Qatar Exchange as it shows the daily change in price of different food products.
In a related context, Al-Attiyah considers Emiri decision No. 45 of 2011, which was issued by HH the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, to form a programme for Qatar's National Food Security shows the State of Qatar's keenness on solving the food security issue of the country and securing enough and sustainable sources of food from local resources.
He added that one of the goals of the law is to unite the different institutions of the country in one shared vision that the effort would rally upon. He said that currently a master plan is being prepared and will be finished in 2013, adding that the plan will be implemented by the year 2023.
Al-Attiyah said that the country is always trying to regulate food prices, which he described as "constantly fluctuating" due to the country's reliance on importing products in addition to the lack of sufficient local production. He said that like many other Arab countries, Qatar imports most of its food needs explaining that Qatar currently imports 90% of its food. The Arab world import 40% of the global grain production, Al-Attiyah said.
He added that Qatar's food security strategy is in complete harmony with Qatar's National Vision 2030, saying that Qatar's agricultural production will be available only in Qatari markets, dismissing any intent to export some amounts to Gulf markets.
Al-Attiyah added that the country's food security system consists of three main hubs: The first is supporting local production; the second is diversifying supply sources while storing strategic goods is the third hub.
He said that the programme will look at developing more than 1400 farms currently available in the country. These farms currently produce only 10% of its potential due to the use of traditional means of production rather than modern ones. Al-Attiyah cites the lack of studies on developing the agricultural sector as one of the reasons as well.
There are currently 65000 hectars in the State of Qatar that are used in agriculture. The State relies on sustainable energy to desalinate the irrigating water.
Al-Attiyah said that developing the local agricultural means of production will lead to an increase in production that will drive the price downwards. (QNA)
In a press conference held at QNFSP headquarters, Al-Attiyah added that the index will be divided upon different food categories such as dairy products and meat. He added that the index works in a manner similarto that of Qatar Exchange as it shows the daily change in price of different food products.
In a related context, Al-Attiyah considers Emiri decision No. 45 of 2011, which was issued by HH the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, to form a programme for Qatar's National Food Security shows the State of Qatar's keenness on solving the food security issue of the country and securing enough and sustainable sources of food from local resources.
He added that one of the goals of the law is to unite the different institutions of the country in one shared vision that the effort would rally upon. He said that currently a master plan is being prepared and will be finished in 2013, adding that the plan will be implemented by the year 2023.
Al-Attiyah said that the country is always trying to regulate food prices, which he described as "constantly fluctuating" due to the country's reliance on importing products in addition to the lack of sufficient local production. He said that like many other Arab countries, Qatar imports most of its food needs explaining that Qatar currently imports 90% of its food. The Arab world import 40% of the global grain production, Al-Attiyah said.
He added that Qatar's food security strategy is in complete harmony with Qatar's National Vision 2030, saying that Qatar's agricultural production will be available only in Qatari markets, dismissing any intent to export some amounts to Gulf markets.
Al-Attiyah added that the country's food security system consists of three main hubs: The first is supporting local production; the second is diversifying supply sources while storing strategic goods is the third hub.
He said that the programme will look at developing more than 1400 farms currently available in the country. These farms currently produce only 10% of its potential due to the use of traditional means of production rather than modern ones. Al-Attiyah cites the lack of studies on developing the agricultural sector as one of the reasons as well.
There are currently 65000 hectars in the State of Qatar that are used in agriculture. The State relies on sustainable energy to desalinate the irrigating water.
Al-Attiyah said that developing the local agricultural means of production will lead to an increase in production that will drive the price downwards. (QNA)
