The Peninsula Hails Qatar's Progress in Achieving Food Security

Doha, August 12 (QNA) - The Peninsula English newspaper praised on Thursday the progress made by the State of Qatar over the years in ensuring food security in the country, increasing local production of foodstuffs as well as diversifying the sources of food imports. In its editorial, the newspaper highlighted the national food system dialogue in Qatar, organized by the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, which concluded Wednesday as part of the State's preparations for the United Nations Food Systems Summit to be held next September, with the participation of the heads of state of the member states of the United Nations. The paper noted HE Minister of Municipality and Environment and Acting Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie's affirmation that the government has successfully implemented measures to increase local production of food and increase strategic food storage facilities, which can provide essential food supplies for six months. The Peninsula explained that the Qatari government's successful initiatives have resulted in ensuring 100 percent availability of basic foodstuffs, while also ensuring high quality and affordability, on a daily basis, and at all times, including times of crisis and emergency, pointing out that in recent years, the country has also cut reliance on food imports as a result of increased local production, especially of vegetables, dairy, poultry, and seafood. The paper added that the country has diversified its sources of food imports and upgraded and streamlined storage and supply chains as well as logistics capabilities at the ports and the airports, and as a result, the it successfully handled the situation arising from the global outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. The Peninsula concluded its editorial by emphasizing the importance of a collective approach to make our food systems resilient, sustainable, equitable and healthy for the planet and its inhabitants. (QNA)