Qatar has positioned its agricultural sector as a key driver of economic diversification and sustainable development. The Third National Development Strategy (NSD3) launched in 2024 seeks to develop sustainable agricultural technologies, boost local production and promote efficient resource utilisation to strengthen food security. The country is committed to supporting local farmers through targeted initiatives and agricultural support programmes. These measures have significantly increased the volume and quality of local agricultural production, elevating the standing of Qatari crops in the market. The nation has developed a sustainable and resilient food system that adapts to global challenges to ensure safe and sustainable food supplies. The National Food Security Strategy 2030 launched in December last year aims to achieve sustainable food security through guiding principles, including promoting healthy consumption habits, ensuring food safety and quality, fostering sustainability, adapting to climate change and building effective partnerships. The strategy represents a significant step in strengthening Qatar’s ability to address current and future food security challenges. It aims at making Qatar 55% self-sufficient in local vegetable production and increasing the productivity of agricultural lands by 50%, boosting the local production of red meat and fish to 30% and 80% respectively by 2030, and achieving 100% self-sufficiency in dairy and fresh chicken production. Qatar made remarkable achievements in fresh food production over the last few years. There are over 950 agricultural productive farms operating across the country. The new strategy, which includes 17 initiatives, aims to achieve sustainable food security. The strategy is in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 to develop a sustainable food system capable of adapting to global changes, including climate change, geopolitical crises, and any disruptions to food supply chains. The previous National Food Security Strategy 2018-2023 contributed significantly to developing the food security system in the country through implementing its basic pillars. Among the goals achieved were increasing local production of agricultural food commodities in a sustainable manner, diversifying sources of foreign trade to avoid exposure to any potential risks, and forming a strategic storage of food commodities. The Strategic Food Security Facilities at Hamad Port is designed to provide substantial storage for rice, sugar, and edible oil sufficient to support three million people for two years. Many programmes and projects were implemented to achieve food security by providing food at reasonable prices and there was a significant growth in the cultivated areas.
