People buying vegetables at a winter market.
DOHA: The winter vegetable markets have encouraged farms to increase their production as it gives them chance to sell their products directly to the customers without intervention of the middlemen.
“This is the sixth year for the winter markets and we have noticed that the production by farms has doubled this season compared to the production in the last season. The farmers have also registered similar increase in their sales. Winter markets played a major role in this increase as they provided a platform for farmers to sell their products directly,” said General Supervisor of farmers’ winter markets, Abdurrahman Al Sulaiti.
The first winter market started by the authorities was Al Mazroua which was followed by Al Khor/Al Dakhira and Al Wakrah market.
These three annual winter markets, are run by the Agricultural Affairs Department at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment.
These markets offer fresh vegetables to the customers coming straight from the local farms at attractive prices compared to other markets in the country during Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Many other local products like, dairy products, eggs, honey and fish are available at the markets to meet the needs of customers. The sales of this year is expected to be more compared to previous seasons.
Apart from the three existing winter markets (Al Mazroua, Al Khor-Dakhira and Al Wakrah), three more new markets at other places will be opened in the end of this year in Al Ruwais, Ash-Shahaniyah and Al Sailiya, Al Sulaiti said.
He also noted that “the three new winter markets will be opened by the end of this year but we can’t specify the date exactly. The aim of opening new winter markets is to serve other areas and also to encourage Qatari farmers to increase their products and sell it to customers directly”.
Replying to a question about if they are going to extend this season which will conclude on May-end, he said until now there is no decision about there extension and the closure will be in May. A total of 80 farms participated this season 2017-2018 to offer fresh vegetable in the three markets and this number is bigger compared to previous season 2016-2017.
