Expo 2023 Doha strengthened Qatar’s leadership position.. Dr. Abdullah Al-Subaie:
Updating the Ministry of Municipality’s plans in agricultural technologies
Agricultural digital transformation achieves production efficiency and conserves resources
Developing services and localizing agricultural facilities
Enhancing local production through expanding the use of advanced technologies
Implementing projects to improve the efficiency of irrigation water use in agriculture
A boom in animal products to improve self-sufficiency rates
Increase the strategic stock of basic commodities
2:02 AM, Monday, October 23, 2023
Doha – Qena:
His Excellency Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Subaie, Minister of Municipality and Chairman of the National Committee for Hosting the Expo 2023 Doha Horticultural Exhibition, stressed the importance of Qatar hosting major conferences and events, including agricultural exhibitions, in strengthening its position on the map of important international events… pointing out that Expo is the largest event hosted by the State of Qatar after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which contributes to consolidating its leading position as a vital regional and international center for major events.
In an exclusive interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), His Excellency pointed out that 80 countries participate in this global exhibition, and it is expected to attract more than 3 million visitors over its six months. He noted that this unique version of the exhibition seeks to consolidate the concept of greening the desert. As a main axis to highlight in the coming years, which constitutes an opportunity to discuss innovative solutions that address water shortages and desertification problems, deal with climate variables, and create a platform that brings together people and ideas to accelerate the pace of innovation, creativity , research and scientific progress in the field of modern agriculture to produce safe and sustainable food for the world’s population.
He pointed out the contribution of this major global event to update the plans followed by the Ministry in light of benefiting from the latest findings in the field of agricultural technologies and methods, especially in the field of agricultural digital transformation, in order to achieve efficiency in production, ensure sustainability and preserve natural resources, and achieve Qatar Vision 2030. .
He added: It also helps in developing services and localizing agricultural facilities, and enhancing local production through expanding the use of advanced crop production techniques suitable for local climatic conditions to increase cultivated areas and raise self-sufficiency rates in basic food commodities, and implementing projects to improve the efficiency of irrigation water use in agriculture. Through the use of modern irrigation systems, it would also contribute to establishing new projects in the field of fish farming, improving local production of fresh fish, and achieving a production boom that contributes to improving self-sufficiency rates in animal products to advanced rates globally in the global food security index, and thus Increasing the strategic stock of basic and necessary commodities in times of crises and disasters.
“Expo Doha” harnesses scientific progress in food production
His Excellency the Minister of Municipality confirmed that Expo 2023 Doha addresses four main axes: modern agriculture: through which scientific progress is harnessed to produce safe, sustainable and affordable food, especially in desert areas, and technology and innovation: it deals with the management of new technologies to enhance agricultural productivity and achieve a balance of sustainability. Environment and environmental awareness: It focuses on raising global awareness of the importance of preserving the environment, and sustainability: It focuses on achieving a balance between various needs, in addition to enhancing economic, technological and environmental awareness, noting that the Expo strengthens bridges of communication between the Qatari private sector and its international counterparts, through Participating in this global event and holding bilateral and collective meetings to exchange expertise and experiences, concluding agreements and signing memorandums of understanding to consolidate cooperation relations in the agricultural field.
He stressed that Expo 2023 Doha is an opportunity to create a meeting point between all officials, experts and specialists in the field of agriculture and horticulture, to exchange ideas, expertise and experiences, and to benefit from innovation, creativity, research and scientific progress in the field of modern agriculture, to produce safe, sustainable and affordable food for the world’s population, while doubling Efforts to reduce the effects of climate change.
National initiatives and projects
Regarding the Qatari innovations, initiatives and projects that are presented to the participants, His Excellency the Minister of Municipality stated that the exhibition reflects the interest of the State of Qatar in innovations and initiatives that would contribute to finding solutions to the challenges of desertification, plant propagation and increasing the green area through the conferences accompanying Expo 2023. The exhibition was keen to attract All global technologies that reduce desertification, contribute to increasing the green area and agricultural lands, and preserving the existing meager water resources, as well as reviewing a number of experiments with modern agricultural systems introduced by Qatari farms, which have many advantages in increasing the green area, such as: agriculture using hydroponic technology, Vertical pipe farming, and high-tech hydroponic agriculture, which includes increasing production in narrow spaces and reducing labor while eliminating costly operations.
In this context, he pointed out that the State of Qatar is adopting many green initiatives, including, for example, the initiative to plant one million trees, the completion of which was celebrated after the millionth tree was planted with the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The State of Qatar also launched the initiative to plant ten million trees . Tree until the year 2030, within the framework of addressing agricultural challenges, to reach an equation that contributes to increasing the green area and achieving a sustainable future by promoting the concept of green cities in the Middle East region, and encouraging innovation in the field of horticulture, with a focus on climate and water elements in the State of Qatar.
He continued: There are also initiatives related to methods of using modern irrigation techniques that save water, and reliance on treated water, as rates of irrigation of green spaces using treated water in the State of Qatar have reached about 75 percent, and this is considered a significant rate, as it contributes to preserving desalinated water. And taking advantage of exploiting available renewable materials to increase the green area, as the Ministry of Municipality, represented by the Department of Public Parks, supervises the central automatic irrigation system in all municipalities, which supplies plants with their actual water needs without waste.
Informing farm owners about countries’ experiences
Regarding the benefits that the Qatari farmer will gain from this global event, His Excellency the Chairman of the National Committee for Hosting the “Expo 2023 Doha Horticultural Exhibition” confirmed that it provides an opportunity for farm owners to benefit from the expertise, technologies and modern experiences of the countries participating in the event, and it also includes the participation of some farms in Activities accompanying the event, displaying local products and highlighting the level of quality reached in a short period, as well as exchanging experiences with participating parties, indicating that the exhibition constitutes an opportunity to learn about everything new regarding sustainable agriculture and innovation in the agricultural field, and contributes in part to marketing products. Qatari farms through the “Farmers Market”, which is a space where farmers and international pavilions can display their products to the public and introduce their activities, and brings together under its umbrella the finest local and international products. His Excellency continued: The exhibition also contributes to providing innovative solutions in the agricultural field and creating an attractive economic environment, and encourages Farm owners are encouraged to attend the conferences held within the Expo agenda, as they provide local farms and companies with the latest findings in the field of agriculture, and introduce them to the latest technology methods used, noting that the organizing committee for Expo 2023 Doha granted local farmers pavilions and additional spaces free of charge to facilitate their participation in the exhibition.
The meaning of the slogan of “Expo 2023”
Regarding the significance of choosing the exhibition slogan “Green Desert… A Better Environment,” His Excellency Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Subaie pointed out that choosing this slogan is evidence of the possibility of transforming countries with a desert climate into a green oasis and a large garden, through expanding the establishment of gardens and parks. And growing plants and trees in the desert environment using modern technologies, despite the challenges that were an obstacle in the past, such as water scarcity and soil dryness, noting at the same time that prior to the launch of the exhibition, the main building for the “Expo 2023 Doha Horticulture Exhibition” was registered, which was implemented by the Public Works Authority. “Ashghal” is in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the largest green roof in the world, which extends over an area estimated at approximately 4,031 square metres.
Innovative solutions to address water shortages
Regarding the importance of Qatar hosting the “Horticulture Expo”, despite the fact that it has a desert climate, His Excellency the Minister of Municipality explained that the State of Qatar’s hosting of the Expo 2023 Doha Horticultural Exhibition is an opportunity to discuss innovative solutions that address water shortages, the problems of desertification, and ways to deal with the challenges of climate change, and the organization of this reflects The event has gained confidence based on its continuous efforts to support efforts to preserve and sustain the environment and to complement the achievements made by the country in this field. This important international exhibition, which is held on the grounds of Al Bidda Park in the Doha Corniche area for 179 days, constitutes an important platform for achieving sustainability in agriculture and horticulture. And an opportunity to formulate innovative solutions with the participation of about 80 countries, along with international organizations and representatives of the country’s various sectors.
He pointed out that the exhibition brings together owners of agricultural companies, farms, academics and research centers to exchange agricultural experiences and learn about the latest innovations in the field of irrigation and horticulture and major leading companies and factories in the field of agricultural technology and horticulture, which contributes to developing our national experience to achieve our ambitions in the field of food security and optimal exploitation of our resources. By benefiting from their experiences and informing others of our experience in increasing the green area and reducing water consumption, while preserving available natural resources and using modern methods.
Initiatives to increase green space
With regard to launching new national initiatives to expand the green area, His Excellency the Minister of Municipality pointed out that there are many initiatives and projects developed by the Ministry to increase green spaces in various regions of the country. Among them is the Ministry’s development of 16 parks, distributed throughout various municipalities, in addition to a central park such as Rawdat Al Hamama Park, and the maintenance of many other parks that will be opened soon. The Ministry’s efforts over the past years have also resulted in doubling the green spaces in the State of Qatar by more than 10%. times since 2010 until now, as the number of public parks increased from (56) parks in 2010 to (143) parks in 2023, an increase of (164 percent), and the per capita share of green space increased from (1) square meter in the year 2010 to (14.7) square meters in 2023, in addition to expanding the initiative to plant one million trees to 10 million trees by 2030, as the strategic plan of the Ministry of Municipality within this initiative includes establishing a forest and a green belt around the city of Doha, in addition to many public parks and squares. The number of producing and marketing farms has increased to more than 500, and local production of vegetables has increased by an estimated 82 percent over the past five years, thanks to the use of agricultural techniques and plant research with the utmost levels of sustainability.
