Latest news with #NationalFoodSecurityStrategy
Zawya
11 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Qatar accelerates push for food production in bid for sustainability
Doha, Qatar: The government is rapidly escalating its efforts to boost local food production and ensure long-term sustainability as part of its ambitious National Food Security Strategy 2030. Recent data from the Ministry of Municipality and Environment signals clear progress, with targets centered on self-sufficiency in vital food categories. Under the 2030 plan, Qatar aims for 55 percent self-reliance in vegetables, 30 percent in red meat, and 80 percent in fish, while achieving 100 percent self-sufficiency in dairy and fresh poultry production. As of 2024, more than 950 productive farms operate nationwide, and the area dedicated to organic farming has doubled. Last year, over 26 million kilograms of local vegetables were marketed by Mahaseel Company—reflecting a 98 percent increase in fresh vegetable output over five years. The livestock sector showed notable gains, including fresh milk with 97 percent, while red meat climbed steadily, and poultry now meets full domestic demand. Qatar's agricultural market is highly dynamic, valued at around $180m in 2025 and projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.5 percent to $235m by 2030. This doubling in output is underpinned by greenhouses, hydroponics, vertical farming, and aquaponics methods championed in government programmes. 'These are outcomes of meticulous strategy, investment in technology, and strong policy frameworks,' said Ibrahim Al‑Marri, a food security expert. 'We have improved self-sufficiency across critical food categories—from greenhouse vegetables to fish and dairy—by integrating modern irrigation, sustainable inputs, and strategic marketing support.' Efforts are being made to reduce groundwater usage. The country plans to cut water use per ton of crops by 40 percent by 2030 and expand treated sewage effluent (TSE) irrigation to 100 percent of fodder lands, up from 27 percent in 2019. 'The adoption of hydroponics, automated irrigation, and soil-less techniques is fundamental.' Al‑Marri said. 'We saw a 20 percent rise in domestic vegetable output in 2023 alone, supplied by smart greenhouses and vertical farms—critical in Qatar's arid climate.' On the other hand, regional collaboration plays a key role. Qatar chaired the GCC Agricultural Cooperation and Food Security Committee, where stakeholders discussed standards for sustainable hydroponic systems and regional food resilience. 'Qatar has also built a resilient food ecosystem that is technologically advanced and environmentally aware,' Al‑Marri stated. © Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Iraqi News
25-05-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
Prime Minister: National Food Security Strategy constitutes a reference for joint work with FAO
Baghdad-INA Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani affirmed on Sunday that the National Food Security Strategy constitutes a reference for joint work with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to enhance local production, reduce imports, achieve self-sufficiency in wheat, and support farmers and agricultural workers. The Prime Minister's Media Office said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): that "Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani received today, Sunday, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Qu Dongyu." According to the statement, the Prime Minister stressed "the importance of cooperation with the organization to implement the recommendations of the Baghdad Water Conferences to address climate change, which has affected the environment and caused water scarcity and the spread of desertification." He praised "the role of the Director-General and officials of the organization for their efforts in the projects implemented and sponsored by FAO in Iraq." Al-Sudani pointed out that "the National Food Security Strategy constitutes a reference for joint work with the Organization to enhance local production, reduce imports, achieve self-sufficiency in wheat, and support farmers and agriculturalists." The Prime Minister emphasized "the importance of the outcomes of the Carbon Economics Conference held in Baghdad and the memoranda of understanding signed by Iraq with international companies to develop the green economy." He noted "the need to implement the outcomes of the (36) FAO Regional Conference for the Near East, held in Baghdad in 2022, and adopt it in Ministerial Declaration of Baghdad to ensure the transition to modern technological systems, support small enterprises, empower youth, and enhance the role of women." For his part, Dongyu confirmed "continued coordination with Iraq and readiness to launch a project to enhance its ability to confront climate change, funded by several parties, including Iraq and the Organization, with a total budget approaching $40 million."
West Australian
20-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Federal election: What Labor's win means for Australia's $88m agriculture industry
Labor went to the Federal election without a firm agriculture policy but its resounding election win means a suite of farming-related pledges will be rolled out during the next four years. Creating a National Food Security Strategy, bolstering farm safety and extending the instant asset write-off for another year were among the most significant promises the party made to agriculture before the May 3 Federal election. But Anthony Albanese's plan to ban live sheep exports by May 1, 2028 now looks set to become a reality as the Federal Government pushes on with rolling out its $139m industry transition package. While funding commitments targeted directly at the regions were scarce, health was a significant focus with $204.5 million to improve existing and expand Healthdirect services, $200m to create a 24-hour telehealth service, $135.2m for online mental health support and $32m for men's mental health services. The Prime Minister's planned live export ban and fears about Labor's tax on unrealised gains policy have been criticised by farming groups, but move to pour $3.5m investment into creating National Food Security Strategy was widely welcomed. The strategy — announced prior to the election — would recognise the importance of safeguarding food supply chains and bolster the resilience of Australia's agriculture and food production systems. Its plan to impose a 30 per cent tax on unrealised capital gains made superannuation accounts worth $3m or more was one of the most contentious policy, with National Farmers Federation estimating there are about 17,000 SMSF accounts that hold farming land. Other policies welcomed included a $2.5m injection to keep Farmsafe Australia running for the next three years, with after the number of people killed on farms doubled to 72 last year. A further $20m was committed to a campaign to encourage more Australians to buy locally made products. The On Farm Connectivity Program — which offers rebates of up to 50 per cent on equipment and technology — received a $20m investment in a new round, worth up to $30,000 per applicant. Labor also committed to strategically examine the potential to grow a biofuels feedstock industry to support Australia's transition to net zero and backed the NFF's roadmap for agriculture to become a $100 billion industry by 2030. The Federal Government also pledged an extension of the $20,000 instant asset write-off until June 30 next year, a move welcomed by small businesses but short of the Coalition's pledge to offer a permanent write-off. In announcing the policy, Mr Albanese said the short-term incentive was designed to encourage businesses to spend as a matter of priority. Community infrastructure was also a focus of Labor's pre-election commitments, with its Community Upgrade Fund receiving a boost to enable local facilities like pools, libraries and sports clubs to share $100 million to become more energy efficient. Labor also committed to a Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation to bridge mobile telecommunications blackspots, requiring mobile operators to provide equitable access to baseline outdoor mobile coverage across Australia. Labor's $200m to create a 24-hour telehealth service, dubbed '1800MEDICARE', will be introduced by January next year, while a pledge Movember, Men's Sheds and male-specific mental health services will receive a significant boost. This includes $8.3 million to support another two years of Men's Shed Initiative's National Shed Development Program, and $7.4 million to expand Movember's Ahead of the Game program, delivered in partnership with the AFL. Also included is $3.0 million to Healthy Male to support the delivery of Plus Paternal Initiative, and $2.0 million to the Black Dog Institute to research men's mental health and suicide prevention at the Danny Frawley Centre for Health and Wellbeing. The controversial indexation of excise on on draught beer has been frozen for two years, and the Federal Government will left a the $350,000 excise remission cap to $400,000 for all eligible alcohol manufacturers. It also committed $7m in the recent budget to support horticultural conferences, agritech events and other agricultural trade shows for two years from July 1, including $2m for the world's biggest sheep, lamb and wool conference Lambex. It has also pledged $6.8m in 2025-26 in international engagement and technical market access activities to support agricultural exports in a changing trade environment.
Arab Times
13-05-2025
- Health
- Arab Times
Kuwait has taken tangible steps to enhance food security and safety: Health Minister
KUWAIT CITY, May 13: Minister of Health Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi affirmed on Tuesday that Kuwait has taken significant steps to bolster its food security and safety framework, beginning with the launch of the National Food Security Strategy and the update of regulations governing imported foods and school canteens. Speaking at the opening of the 4th Annual Food Safety and Nutrition Summit, Dr. Al-Awadhi emphasized Kuwait's commitment to improving food systems. The two-day summit, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is organized by the Ministry of Health, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition, and the US Embassy in Kuwait. It includes broad participation from representatives across Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Dr. Al-Awadhi highlighted that the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition regularly conducts inspection campaigns and monitors facilities across Kuwait's governorates to foster a culture of prevention and ensure adherence to the highest safety standards. He stressed that ensuring universal access to safe and adequate food, along with improving nutrition and its safety, are essential to achieving both national and international sustainable development goals. Placing human health and dignity at the center of public policy, he noted, aligns with the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This includes eradicating hunger, enhancing food security, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture—all aimed at building a more just, equitable, and sustainable world for future generations. Dr. Al-Awadhi said the summit reflects a shared vision and commitment to improving global food security and public health. He described it as a meaningful platform that emphasizes collective awareness of the importance of food safety and nutrition as cornerstones of health, economic growth, and social development. Citing scientific studies and real-world experience, he warned that the consequences of neglecting food safety go beyond statistics and are reflected in human suffering. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), foodborne illnesses affect over 600 million people annually, resulting in more than 420,000 deaths. Alarmingly, 125,000 of those deaths—nearly 30 percent—are among children under the age of five, even though children make up just 9 percent of the global population. These figures, Dr. Al-Awadhi noted, underscore the urgent need to strengthen national and global food safety systems and expand public awareness, especially to protect children, who are particularly vulnerable to foodborne illnesses. He also pointed to the Gulf region's investments in training expert personnel in food inspection and laboratory analysis as a critical factor in advancing national food security—a "priceless investment" for a healthier and more sustainable future. The health minister praised international cooperation, especially the efforts of UN-affiliated bodies, the United States, and other partners in supporting Kuwait's development of effective food security and safety systems. In her remarks at the summit, U.S. Ambassador to Kuwait Karen Sasahara emphasized the strong and expanding bilateral relationship between Kuwait and the United States, particularly in agriculture and food security. She noted that bilateral trade in this sector reached $275 million last year, with a total of $3.6 billion in trade between the U.S. and GCC countries. Ambassador Sasahara said that American agricultural sector representatives regularly engage with their Kuwaiti counterparts to explore the application of US technologies and products in advancing sustainable agricultural solutions. She explained that the summit seeks to deepen mutual understanding and align visions on best practices in food safety and security between the United States and GCC countries. This year's theme focuses on food safety as a fundamental pillar of community health and sustainable food security. The ambassador also described the summit as an opportunity to enhance U.S.-Kuwait collaboration and to strengthen partnerships with other participating nations in areas of food security and sustainable agriculture. She acknowledged shared health challenges, including obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases, faced by both the US and GCC nations. The United States, she said, is working to improve its food system's nutritional quality by addressing the root causes of these issues and promoting international cooperation. The summit includes expert-led panel discussions featuring specialists in food security, health, and agriculture from the United States, the United Nations, and the GCC. Topics include national policy development and strategies for enhancing food safety and nutrition across the region.
Biz Bahrain
25-04-2025
- Business
- Biz Bahrain
Transportation Ministry signs contract with Bahrain Flour Mills to support food security
The Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, represented by the Ports and Maritime Affairs, signed a land lease agreement with Bahrain Flour Mills Company for a 89,061-square-metre plot in the Bahrain Logistics Zone. The land will be used to build an integrated industrial facility equipped with modern infrastructure and advanced silos to enhance the strategic reserve's storage capacity, in line with the highest standards of quality, health, safety, and sustainability. Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, emphasised the ministry's commitment to developing infrastructure, attracting investment, and supporting logistics services that reinforce and sustain the food security system. He highlighted that this approach falls within the comprehensive development process led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and supported by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. The minister highlighted the project's role in enhancing Bahrain Flour Mills' storage capabilities and improving distribution efficiency through integration with the Kingdom of Bahrain's transport and logistics networks. The initiative supports food security, diversifies and sustains supply chains, and meets local market needs in line with His Majesty the King's food security initiative and the National Food Security Strategy (2020–2030), aligned with Bahrain Economic Vision 2030. Basim Mohamed Alsaie, Chairman of Bahrain Food Holding Company and Bahrain Flour Mills Company, expressed appreciation to the minister for supporting this strategic project. He underlined its importance in expanding the company's operational and storage capabilities through the construction of modern silos and industrial facilities, enhancing the Kingdom's readiness to address global economic challenges related to food security. The contract signing was attended by Wayne Henry Craig, CEO of Bahrain Flour Mills Company. BNA(R)
