Variety of local veggies to hit the market in early Oct

Local vegetable production is set to reach market shelves starting in early October, according to the Arabic daily Arrayah. Initial crops anticipated to hit retailers include cucumbers, zucchini, hot peppers, and leafy greens, with additional varieties expected to follow as the season advances. The delayed agricultural season compared to usual timelines is primarily attributed to extreme heat and humidity during the summer, particularly for outdoor-grown crops.

However, farmers have been diligently preparing for the upcoming season, attending to tasks such as soil preparation, greenhouse upkeep, and seedling planting.

Farmers have expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the Ministry of Municipality through the "Raqmana" digital programme, which has streamlined agricultural planning, service requests, and expert advice on crops and diseases, thereby reducing bureaucratic hurdles. Yet, the escalating production costs pose a considerable challenge, with significant price hikes in fertilisers, seeds, and pesticides, partly stemming from increased transportation expenses and supply chain disruptions.

These rising input costs are straining farms, especially when market prices plummet due to abundant supply.

Nasser al-Kuwari, a local farm owner, reported that preparations are progressing smoothly, with land ready and seedlings already planted in certain areas. The farm comprises approximately 20 greenhouses, including five climate-controlled units, enabling the cultivation of diverse vegetables tailored to specific crop requirements and weather conditions.

Key products from the farm include tomatoes, eggplants, cowpeas, and cucumbers. Al-Kuwari emphasized the significance of bolstering local protected agriculture to bolster the market with fresh produce and lessen dependence on imports. He urged sustained support for Qatari farms, asserting that heightened local production can stabilize the market by augmenting supply and mitigating import reliance.

Ali al-Hanzab, another farm owner, stated that most preparations are completed, with soil and irrigation systems in place. Planting is slated to commence next week, focusing on a select range of crops such as tomatoes, carrots, onions, eggplants, hot peppers, and zucchini to ensure sufficient yield for market competition. The farm plans to collaborate with various retail outlets for product distribution and adheres to a strategy of natural crop development rather than employing accelerated growth materials.

Farm manager Eng Saber al-Dahmani highlighted the detrimental effects of the summer heat and humidity on the early start of the agricultural season, with most planting operations delayed. However, they have now initiated the planting of zucchini, eggplant, melon, and cucumber as temperatures have moderated, with cucumber and eggplant cultivation anticipated to continue in the near future, while tomato seedlings will be transplanted into greenhouses by early October.

The season will also encompass sweet peppers, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, and other temperature-sensitive crops.

Mohamed Ajlan al-Kaabi, a farm owner, reported that preparations are underway, including soil preparation, fertiliser application, and greenhouse maintenance. The farm is set to receive strawberry seedlings imported from Jordan, continuing its tradition of growing strawberries in climate-controlled greenhouses for about four years.

The farm's 2026 season is projected to yield approximately 175 to 180 tonnes of vegetables, primarily cucumbers, supplemented by around 1.9 tonnes of honey. The farm operates around 17 greenhouses, ten of which are climate-controlled. Eng Mohamed Mousa, farm manager, announced that the 2026 agricultural season has already commenced, with farms executing their planting plans and preparing crops for market.

Planting began on August 15 with outdoor crops like melon, watermelon, and zucchini, while cowpeas were planted in greenhouses.