Ministry to invite companies for research on food security

The Ministry of Municipality and Environment is looking closely to rope in private sector to enhance research work to ensure food security in the country, said an expert.
“Many private companies have shown interest to join us in developing research works in the fields of agriculture and environment,” said Dr Mohamed Saif Al Kuwari, Director of the Municipal and Environmental Studies Centre.
Speaking with media persons on the sidelines of an event on “The Forum of Scientists and Researchers of the Ministry of Municipality and Environment” at the headquarters of the Ministry yesterday, Al Kuwari said “we will invite private companies in near future to sit with us to exchange ideas on supporting the scientific research.
He said that the companies want to serve the country in the fields of agriculture, livestock, fisheries and environment.
“We have many research projects related to food security such as agriculture, livestock, fisheries and environment and these projects will be boosted by the Qatar National Research Fund and private companies interested to provide support”, said Al Kuwari.
“Many new projects will be launched in coming period in these fields. We will focus on this phase on the projects of food security to achieve self-sufficiency in agriculture sector, development of livestock, to protect them from epidemics and those related to increase the fish farming,” he added. 
Al Kuwari said that the Municipal and Environmental Studies Center is working to create a culture of research in the country.
The centre plans to take young girls and boys on field visits to familiarise with ongoing research works, said Al Kuwari adding that this is a promising initiative as now the youngsters are interested in the scientific researches.
“We also have an initiative of “young Qatari researcher” to create scientific research culture in school students of all grades – primary, preparatory and secondary, said Al Kuwari. The initiative will help to encourage the students towards scientific research in the beginning.
In the coming phase, the centre in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education will pick up some excellent students to work with scientists and researchers.