For seven decades, AGRICO has been supplying produce to more than one thousand outlets. As chairperson, Ahmed Al Khalaf says, the farming company has addressed climate challenges by learning from experts worldwide whilst demonstrating local solutions to teach emerging farmers.
We have a difficult environment to grow fruit and vegetables therefore to produce all year round, we concentrate on developing smart farming. – Ahmed Al Khalaf – Chairman, AGRICO
Al Khalaf encourages businesses in the region to shift their focus to food security and sustainability which he says is the key to self-sufficiency. AGRICO’s seasonal greenhouses are used for different crops all year round using cutting-edge agricultural technology. One of their most innovative approaches is aquaponics, a combination of aquaculture and hydroponics where bacteria help change excretions from fish tanks to fertilise the plants that then absorb extra nitrogen, putting purified water back into the tanks. For the very first time AGRICO has also taken aquaponics and vertical farming with LED lighting, to a grocery store in Qatar. The farm’s general manager, Dr Fahad Saleh Ibrahim, explains: “Carrefour is a good point to educate the public about this way of farming. The plants are extremely healthy, we use less water and get more produce, harvesting only what we need.” The technology is capable of growing various plants including herbs but also fruit like melons and tomatoes.
Organic produce is gaining popularity in Qatar, and Torba Store is a haven for the health-conscious. It is also part of Torba Farms’ overall ethos of farm-to-table produce that includes two farmers’ markets. Founder, Fatma Al Khater, brought the concept to life, for the benefits of sustainable living, “We’re big fans of permaculture and the microbiome, so we’ve got fermented food ranging from kombucha to sauerkraut, and they really do help in fulfilling that holistic lifestyle that we try and educate people about.” Torba also seized the opportunity to connect people with food, which is what their Farmers’ Market aims to do, along with uplifting small businesses.
The buzz around honey farming
Since Qatar is well on its way to meeting its ambitious food self-sufficiency targets for 2023, honey production has been increasing over the past few years with local bees and their honey, beeswax and propolis, more popular than ever. There are thousands of bees at Umm Qarn Farm where beekeeper Arafat Hussain works, “I may be one of the first people to produce pollen in Qatar, royal jelly, propolis, and propolis products. Bees teach you sacrifice and sincerity in work.”
Al Waha Farm’s, Samir Abadi, says they aspire to produce two tons of honey annually to meet the huge demand for the golden nectar. Part of this passion involves teaching future generations how to farm bees which are vulnerable to pesticides and natural predators, as well as climate extremes. In their role as pollinators, bees are responsible for one-third of the world’s food production. Globally, the insects are on the decline, but Qatar is making a real effort to focus on beekeeping, pollination, and honey.
SINGAPORE – Rising sea levels, higher temperatures and threats to water and food security are some of the climate change challenges faced by Singapore and Qatar as well as other countries in the Middle East.
They can thus work together particularly in the areas of climate mitigation, clean energy and green growth, said Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu on Tuesday (May 25).
She was delivering the opening remarks for an online panel discussion jointly organised by the National University of Singapore’s Middle East Institute and the Doha Forum, a global dialogue platform.
Ms Fu pointed to three opportunities for partnership between Singapore and the Gulf countries towards a more sustainable future.
First, they should exchange expertise and best practices. “For instance, Singapore and Qatar have invested in solar energy as part of our energy mix. Singapore is building one of the world’s biggest floating solar farms and Qatar is working on the Al Kharsaah project, which will be one of the world’s largest solar plants,” she said. “At the same time, Qatar’s electric bus project could offer useful lessons as Singapore moves towards greener public transport networks.”
Second, they could work together in transitioning to a low-carbon future. Ms Fu observed that Gulf nations had been actively investing in what she dubbed as “needle-moving” clean energy solutions such as hydrogen and carbon capture, utilisation and sequestration (CCUS) technologies.
Qatar commissioned a carbon storage plant in 2019 – the largest of its kind in the region – which aims to capture over five million tonnes of CO2 per year from the emirate’s liquefied natural gas industry by 2025.
“In Singapore, clean energy research is a core part of our investment of US$18 billion (S$23.8 billion) in the next five years to strengthen the research and innovation capabilities of our companies,” said Ms Fu.
A third and prime area for cooperation lies in green growth and resilience, she said while praising Gulf countries for making “great strides” in renewable energy, circular economy, green cities and other aspects.
“On our end, we aim to develop Singapore as a carbon trading and services hub, and a leading centre for green finance to facilitate Asia’s transition,” said Ms Fu. “As a founding member of the One Planet Sovereign Wealth Fund initiative, which builds climate change into financial decision-making, the Qatar Investment Authority would boost green finance as it explores opportunities in Asia.”
She also noted that Singapore and Qatar share similar concerns around food security.
“We would be keen to learn more about Qatar’s strategies and share best practices. Singapore’s economic ties and relationship with the Middle East, and particularly the Gulf region, are on the upswing. Green growth and resilience have the potential to be new pillars of cooperation to deepen our ties further.” she Ms Fu.
Earlier, Ms Fu pointed out that Singapore has been an active member of international efforts to tackle climate change – by taking part in key negotiations, co-facilitating ministerial discussions, showing strong support for the Paris Agreement, and collaborating with global partners like the United Nations.
The Paris Agreement, reached in 2015, is a historic legally binding treaty which saw nearly 200 countries pledge to fight global warming and greenhouse-gas emissions.
The Ministry for Sustainability and the Environment’s permanent secretary, Mr Albert Chua, said Singapore would be involved in “some of the more delicate diplomatic manoeuvres” at the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in November.
Asked by panel moderator and former diplomat Bilahari Kausikan what he expected from COP26, Mr Chua said there were outstanding issues to be resolved, including on Article 6 under the Paris pact – which revolves around how countries can reduce emissions using global carbon markets.
“In the case of countries like Singapore, where we have no natural resources, the ability to secure carbon credits from elsewhere becomes very important,” he explained.
Indonesia’s former special envoy on climate change, Mr Rachmat Witoelar, said he hoped the landmark COP26 summit would lead to funds distributed to states making an effort to tackle climate change.
Fellow panellist and Nikkei senior staff writer Kiyoshi Ando said he expected more ambitious targets from the world’s biggest source of carbon dioxide – China.
“What I fear is that all the countries are raising targets… and in the next couple of years, most will find that these are unrealistic,” he added. “I hope the Paris Agreement is not going to break up.”
