Qur’anic Botanic Garden (QBG) has been working closely with Qatar Development Bank (QDB) to strengthen Qatar’s food security through an ongoing series of dedicated online agricultural education programmes for QDB’s greenhouse loan financing clients.
QBG is the first garden in the world to exhibit all plant species mentioned in the Holy Qur’an, Hadith and Sunnah. To date, they have provided training to over 100 QDB clients and members of the community.
High-level technical training
The educational programmes are led by agricultural and greenhouse experts in Qatar handpicked by QBG. The high-level technical programme includes hands-on training on the benefits and different types of greenhouse cultivation, crop cultivation techniques for abundant production, hydroponics, fertilizer usage and pest prevention.
QBG held the first online three-day interactive workshop for QDB’s greenhouse loan clients in March 2021. Due to restrictions brought on by COVID-19 and to ensure everyone’s safety, the programme was designed to enable interaction despite being online.
By utilising the QBG curriculum and toolbox exclusively prepared for and delivered to QDB’s greenhouse loan clients, the participants were able to apply what they learned in real-time from the comfort of their homes. The programme aims to qualify the greenhouse loan financing clients and increase their capacity for self-efficient agricultural production.
Qatar’s greenhouse market
At present, there are approximately 400 greenhouses and 1,400 agricultural farms in Qatar. The greenhouse market in Qatar was worth US$125 million in 2020. According to a report by Expert Market Research, expected projections will reach a value of US$259 million by 2026, signalling the increasing role of greenhouse investments in enhancing Qatar’s self-sufficiency and domestic agricultural production, which QBG and QDB are keen to support.
QDB Business Finance Executive Director Khalid Abdulla Al Mana said they always seek to collaborate with as many active local companies and institutions as possible to enhance and develop the knowledge of their clients.
Running such workshops with the Qur’anic Botanic Garden conveys the ideal message in empowering the agricultural domain and the local economy, thus helping achieve abundance in production and supporting our strategy within Qatar National Vision 2030.
Al Mana added that such events have a major role in raising awareness amongst QDB’s customer base in terms of the importance of agriculture, protecting the environment and achieving natural balance in Qatar.
QBG Director Fatima Al Khulaifi said they are pleased to help empower QDB’s greenhouse loan clients to play a progressive role in Qatar’s strategic food security ambitions. She said that their joint work with QDB is in line with their effort to support the community and engage them to become active contributors to Qatar’s sustainable development and food security agenda.
Last year, QBG also held a webinar on home farming and food security in Qatar, which explored the role of home gardening in self-sufficiency and its contribution to food security.
Food security and the environment
In addition to the QDB workshops, QBG also holds an annual Food Security Program to help young people devise solutions to Qatar’s most pressing environmental challenges through hands-on workshops, discussions and competitions. The programme encourages modern agricultural practices that make investments in the sector feasible. This year’s programme included virtual meetings and a series of online workshops and live interviews to introduce students to the latest updates in the field.
In addition, QBG also launched their free Home Garden Phone Helpline. The initiative allows the public to pose any home gardening questions directly to QBG experts. The helpline – 3091 8519 – is accessible every Monday, from 9 am to 12:30 pm, and every Wednesday, from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm.
QBG is a member of Qatar Foundation. For more information on upcoming events, competitions and activities, follow them on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. You can also visit qf.org.qa for more information.
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