Infarm opening a mega farm in Qatar next year: CEO

Founder and CEO of Infarm company Erez Galonska

Founder and CEO of Infarm company Erez Galonska revealed the opening of a mega farm in Qatar next year with the aim to transform the country into an attractive agricultural destination and change it from importer of food to an exporter.

He added in a panel discussion entitled "Food Security in Peril" - within the activities of Qatar Economic Forum 2022, Powered by Bloomberg, in its second day, that the State of Qatar is considered an economic source and we need to change its destination for agriculture where farmers produce their crops in Qatar. He pointed out that Qatar imports around 90% of its food from other countries.

He pointed out that his company aims to build global farm networks based on designing an entire supply chain. These networks will rely on highly efficient vertical farms and modern agricultural techniques to provide an alternative food system that is flexible, transparent, and affordable. He pointed out the importance of diversifying energy sources, choosing agriculture products, and creating an infrastructure in cooperation with governmental agencies with the aim of feeding everyone.

For his part, the President of the Islamic Development Bank and Group Chairman Dr. Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser said that member countries of the bank and the developing world are facing a food crisis as a result of many complex and overlapping factors, especially those related to supply chain and conflict, drought, food shortage, high prices, and lack of appropriate technology which requires a comprehensive view of treatment.

He pointed out that in the context of problems of food insecurity, the Arab Coordination Group - which includes a group of Arab development funds - in its recent meeting allocated USD 10 billion for immediate relief and long-term support in the context of measures to respond to the global food supply crises.

He stressed that agriculture is considered one of the main sectors in which member countries enjoy a competitive advantage. He said that agriculture sector jobs for the member countries of the bank range from 50% to 70% and that the bank works in a circle that includes farmers, governments, and governmental and non-governmental organizations to improve the agricultural system.

He called on governments to prepare the appropriate invest environment for agriculture sector to strengthen food reserves in the short-term and highlighted that the Islamic Development Bank works openly to mobilize resources with the aim of strengthening food security of membered countries. He added that the bank member countries represent 25% of world population, own 25% of arable land, and have 30% of renewable clean energy and yet they are staving.

He explained that the issue of economic empowerment is a priority for the bank and that the bank allocated a lot of time, effort, and money specially for the youths and women groups.