The pavilion of SAIC at AgriteQ 2019 at Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC).
Doha: In the bid to contribute to achieving self-sufficiency in locally produced vegetables, Al Sulaiteen Agricultural and Industrial Complex (SAIC) produces annually 700 tonnes of all varieties of vegetables and it has plans to increase the number of cultivated areas this year by adding over 20 protected greenhouses, said Director of Production Section at SAIC, Eng. Hassan Mohamed Ali.
“Our production increased manifold after the imposition of siege and this year we are planning to add over 20 greenhouses which are meant to increase the cultivated area by 20,000sqm. We will also use the most modern systems to increase the yield,” he added.
The complex was established in 1995 and has become one of the largest commercial enterprises in Qatar. It is located in Um Salal Ali area, about 20km north of Doha city.
Speaking to The Peninsula on the sideline of the complex’s participation in the seventh edition of Qatar International Agricultural Exhibition (AgriteQ 2019), Eng, Ali added that the actual production of the complex started in 2001 and the farm produced more than 41 varieties of vegetables and planting in green houses as well as on open lands.
“Currently we have about 23 protected green houses and annual production is about 700 tonnes of all varieties of vegetables. Our production is premium and we have many internal contracts to supply the production to local markets,” he pointed out.
He also said that SAIC used to supply vegetables to all major malls in Doha like Family Food Center, Al Meera etc. and also to some hotels.
The complex also produces about 60 million plants annually, about 50 different kinds of seasonal flowers in summer and winter.
“We have introduced new types of flowers for landscaping projects of public and private parks in Qatar and some flowers have been introduced in Qatar for the first time,” he mentioned.
As for the animal production department of SAIC, it was established in 1995, where sheep constitute the largest number in the complex compared to other livestock. A number of Shami goats and camels have also been added with the aim of self-sufficiency in meat and eggs.
Regarding the strategic goals of the complex, he said, in addition to achieving self-sufficiency in vegetable production, SAIC also aims developing and modernising agricultural production systems by introducing the latest applications of agro-aquaculture technology.
