Qatar's next big purchase: a farming sector
Martina Fuchs writes in Reuters that :
DUBAI (Reuters) - Qatar's energy resources have given it one of the world's highest per capita incomes, a futuristic urban skyline and enough clout to host the 2022 soccer World Cup. But its wealth may not be enough for the arid state to achieve an even more ambitious goal: becoming largely self-sufficient in food.
Like other oil-rich, water-poor Gulf states, Qatar has been investing in large areas of farmland overseas to ensure access to food supplies. The agricultural arm of Qatar's sovereign wealth fund, Hassad Food, has bought land in Sudan and Australia, and has announced plans to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on agricultural projects in countries including Kenya, Brazil, Argentina, Turkey and Ukraine.
But in contrast to the other Gulf states, Qatar also aims to produce most of its food domestically, by spending massively to boost crop yields and convert semi-desert into agricultural land.
It's an interesting read. Some analysts in the article argue that farming in Qatar is not economical and that there is no real food security risk as Qatar is rich enough to buy enough food to feed the small population.
I for one think that given the amount already spent to green all the roadsides in Qatar, growing some tomatoes wouldn't be such a bad thing!
(picture by margaretkilljoy under CC)
Interesting. I have a friend who is so convinced the world will come to an end when the barren earth of the mid-east become fertile. Need to get back in touch and ask, did he mean the whole mid-east or just a portion will do.
The trend that has gone so far in my beloved Phils is the other way around;
they have converted farmlands to industrial or residential subdivisions,
care of the corrupt politicians and greedy land developers.
This has diminished food production, sans the never ending increase of food prices
Our government in the Philippines should be the one investing in such projects. Agriculture should be our domain in terms of exportation. Our so called tropical climate just goes into waste. Why not develop farming in some rural areas then employ & relocate people from the community of informal settlers. Mindanao is a good spot such a pity it's potential for development can't be seen due to the government & abu sayyaf.
people will be harvesting them: i love the municipality dates!
Mindanao in the Philippines possess a good farming haven. It is where good pineapple and bananas are being cultivated comercially that is being marketed worldwide and besides, it will create more jobs for our Muslim brothers in the country.
errr it is pretty uneconomic to run a farming sector in such a dry arid climate - the amount of treated water that is needed outweighs all other things
Climate change is turning the weather on its head (according to Nat Geo); We (or our grand kids) shouldnt be too surprised if in a 100 or so years the Gulf is greener than our countries back home!
It's a good move... A long term investment because it's one of the basic necessities of man. Forget about the fast growing infrastructures take it slow but surely, targeting such big projects will end up overspending anyways... in my opinion...
I am much happier with Qatar investing in farming technology, than World Cup technology.
Agree..Agree..Agree
In Sharjah they planted red spinach on the roadsides...Some thrifty gardener guys idea..