The largest vegetable producing company in Qatar, Qatarat Agricultural Development Company (QADCO), is planning to expand its production by increasing the area under cultivation. The company that meets one-third of the country’s vegetables requirement plans to increase its acreage by 10 percent annually. The company also plans to export vegetables to European countries.

“We are the biggest producer of vegetables in Qatar, producing over 94 varieties of vegetables in our farms,” Nezar M. A. Al Atawneh, Operations Manager, QADCO told. “We plan to increase the area of farmed land by 10 percent annually. This will lead to increase in production and help in country’s efforts in reaching self-sufficiency in vegetables.”

The company, that supplies over 92 varieties of vegetables to Qatar Airways, owns 32 farms which are spread across the country. Of the total 32 farms, QADCO owns three farms while other farms are managed by the company.

“The demand for vegetables is diverse in Qatar because residents here are from different countries. They demand different varieties of vegetables and food items. We are meeting around 30 percent of Qatar’s requirement of vegetables from our farms,” he added.

The company’s plan to expand production comes at a time when the country is focusing on achieving self-sufficiency in food items. The local production of vegetables has reached 66,000 tonnes in a year accounting 24 percent of total demand in the local market, according to The Ministry of Municipality and Environment.