MME, QDB Launch Initiative to Encourage Production of Table Eggs in Qatari Farms

Doha, March 21 (QNA) - The Ministry of Municipality and the Environment (MME) and Qatar Development Bank (QDB) on Thursday launched an initiative to encourage the production of table eggs in Qatari farms on the sidelines of the 7th Qatar International Agriculture Exhibition (AgriteQ) and the first Qatar International Environmental Exhibition (EnviroteQ) held at the Doha Convention Center. At a press conference, Director of Animal Wealth Department at the MME Engineer Abdulaziz Al Zeyara said that the aim of this joint initiative is to achieve food security in Qatar, pointing out that the idea stems from allowing Qatari farmers to set up table egg production projects within the registered farms, financed by QDB, and contributing to increase egg production and achieving food security. Al Zeyara indicated that the initiative includes the establishment of 8 medium-sized projects to produce table eggs in registered farms through 4 projects with a production capacity of 22 million eggs per year and 4 other projects with a production capacity of 33 million eggs per year, with a total production of 220 million eggs per year. He pointed out that the production of these projects will raise the level of self-sufficiency in the state of table eggs from 28 percent to 65 percent, indicating that these projects will be subject to full technical support by specialists in the Ministry, adding that applicant for these projects shall be Qatari and owns a registered farm free from any irregularities, as well as its location for the establishment of the project. He announced that the farmers will be opened for 3 months starting from 24 March. Director of Animal Wealth Department at the MME reiterated that this initiative comes in the light of the constructive cooperation between the MME and QDB in order to enhance agricultural production and raise self-sufficiency ratio of high value animal products, thus contributing to food security in Qatar. Executive Director of Development Department at QBD Khalid Abdulla Al Mana said that this initiative is the result of joint efforts between the MME and the Bank to ensure self-reliance in the production of this strategic food product, achieve self-sufficiency and reduce dependence on imports. He pointed out that in accordance with QDB ambitious strategy, the Bank seeks to achieve a high percentage of self-sufficiency from various productive sectors, whether industrial or agricultural, adding that the Bank has continuous and close cooperation with all ministries and competent authorities in the State to find appropriate and effective mechanisms for the development of all productive sectors in the country, especially projects related to food security. Al Mana stressed that this initiative is the best proof of the Bank's keenness to develop all economic sectors in Qatar and to contribute effectively to sustainable development in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030. He added that the launch of the table egg initiative in Qatari farms is part of the Bank's initiatives and programs aimed at developing the Qatari private sector, especially the agricultural and livestock sector, which is the main pillar for diversifying the resources of the national economy. Through this initiative, the Bank aims to encourage Qatari farmers to set up projects to produce table eggs within the country's registered farms, reflecting the bank's drive to accelerate the self-sufficiency of animal products in general and table eggs in particular as an important food product. He also addressed Qatar Development Bank's requirements to grant the investor the loan to build his project, calling on all Qatari farm owners to apply to take advantage of this extraordinary opportunity. (QNA)