The winter vegetable markets sold over 70 tonnes of different varieties of locally-grown vegetables on the first day of their reopening yesterday. “This is the ninth season of the winter vegetable markets. The markets attracted a lot of customers on the first day. The farmers offered a good quantity of vegetables since we are at the start of the season,” said Adil Al Kaldi Al Yafai, Assistant Head of Agricultural Affairs Department at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME). Speaking to Qatar TV yesterday, Al Yafai said that over 70 tonnes of different vegetable types were sold yesterday at all five winter vegetable markets. “We have two more days this week. We expect more customers on Friday and Saturday, which will help further increase the sale,” said Al Yafai. He said the coming weeks will see an increase in the availability of vegetables in terms of variety and quantity.

With 150 local farms offering fresh vegetables at competitive prices, all five winter vegetable markets reopened yesterday for the 2020-21 season. The winter vegetable markets are operating in Al Sheehaniya, Al Mazrouha, Al Wakrah, Al Khor Al Zakhira and Al Shamal. The markets are running for the new season on weekends — Thursday to Saturday from 7am to 4pm, said Ahmad Al Yafai, Head of Agricultural Guidance and Services Section at Agricultural Affairs Department of MME in a statement. He said the markets serve as platforms to market locally grown vegetables.

The Ministry ensures the quality of the produce at the markets which has helped in attracting a large number of customers, said Al Yafai. The markets offer various types of vegetables including cucumber, tomato, zucchini, eggplant, different types of leafy vegetables, pumpkin, and various fruits. Dates and honey from local farms is also available at the markets.

The Agricultural Affairs Department of the Ministry has readied the markets enabling local farmers to offer their produce while adhering to the prescribed preventive and precautionary measures to curb the spread of COVID-19. Health status on the Ehteraz app will be checked at the entry points to the markets. The Agricultural Affairs Department has provided farmers with boxes, for marketing vegetables, and stalls at the markets free of cost, enabling them to sell directly to the customers without middlemen to get a good return for their investments and hard work.

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