Expecting huge demand for vegetables due to FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, local farms are prepared to significantly increase agricultural produce. As the season peaks they will be offering about 40 types of vegetables during the 2022-23 season.
“The local farms will make a great contribution in supplying farm fresh vegetables to the local market, especially during the mega sporting event when demand will surge,” said Assistant Director of Agricultural Affairs Department at the Ministry of Municipality Adil Al Kaldi Al Yafai.
Speaking to Al Rayan TV recently, he said that the Ministry is working to ensure the quality of local produce and display them in a better way for fans of the World Cup through dedicated marketing platforms like seasonal vegetable markets and major commercial outlets.
“The agricultural produce is under strict monitoring to meet the standards and required health conditions like the produce should be free from pesticide residues and of high quality,” said Al Yafai.
He said that vegetable samples are being taken to the laboratory of the Ministry of Public Health to ensure the quality of the produce.
“The types of local produce, five varieties in the first season, now reach about 40 varieties during peak season. The first seasonal vegetables market ‘Yard for Local Agricultural Produce’ was opened in Al Mazrouah in 2012,” said Al Yafai.
He said that the number of local farms participating in vegetable markets increased to 140 farms in the previous season from 24 farms in 2012.
“The sale of vegetables at seasonal markets also rose hugely from 800 tonnes in 2012 to 14,000 tonnes last season. The growing number of farms and rising agricultural produce show the success of seasonal vegetable markets,” said Al Yafai.
The five seasonal vegetable markets run by the Agricultural Affairs Department of the Ministry of Municipality are operating in Al Mazrouha, Al Khor Al Zakhira, Al Wakrah, Al Shamal and Al Sheehaniya.
All five markets opened for 2022-23 season on November 3 operating from 7am to 2pm. Al Mazrouha, Al Khor Al Zakhira, and Al Wakrah markets will work seven days a week, however Al Shamal and Al Sheehaniya markets will open on weekends from Thursday to Saturday.
Initially, with the beginning of harvesting season, over 100 farms started selling their agricultural produce at seasonal markets offering several varieties of vegetables including eggplants, capsicums, and mushrooms.
Some vegetables like tomato, cauliflower, and cabbage are expected to come to the markets during peak season in December and January.
Locally produced figs and sweet melons were also seen at outlets in the Al Mazrouh market last week. The seasonal vegetable markets offered fresh vegetables from local agricultural farms to consumers directly without any middlemen at reasonable prices following daily price bulletin.
