The Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME)'s yards for selling local agriculture products boasts of abundant supplies from participating farms, with more than 60 types of fresh vegetables on display for customers, local Arabic daily *Arrayah reported recently.
Speaking to the daily, Abdulrahman al-Sulaiti, the general superviser of the yards at the ministry, said the retail prices of most of these products have dropped considerably from the same period last year, and reached their lowest levels since the start of this season due to ample supplies.
The price of vegetables at the yards has been quite a bit lower recently, compare with those available in retail outlets across the country.
Al-Sulaiti stressed that the yards can accommodate even more products from more farms, and called on local farmers to increase their production to support the country's efforts in achieving self-sufficiency.
He also said that the continuation of work at the yards after the conclusion of the winter season is linked to the continued productivity of farms and the quantum of fresh produce they can supply to the market.
Otherwise, the yards could be closed after the conclusion of the season, in preparation for the next season.
Some of the recently-seen prices at the yards were as follows:
* QR10 for a box of cucumbers
* QR12 for a box of tomatoes
* QR6 for a box of capsicum
* QR15 for a box of cauliflower
* QR7 for cabbage
* QR10-12 for eggplant
* QR16 for zucchini. and
* QR5 for a box of broccoli
Al-Sulaiti said prices at the market are closely monitored even though they are considered "very low".
Meanwhile, a number of consumers have expressed satisfaction at the quality of services offered at the yards, giving them easy access to fresh agriculture products at reasonable rates without undermining the quality.
Consumer Mohamed Ahmed said that the prices and quality of products have been great in recent times.
He also noted that there is a need for farmers to use more sophisticated agricultural methods to continue production during the hot summer months.
Mohamed Jebreel, an official at a participating farm, said production this year has reached a "very high" level on Qatari farms.
He added that Qatari farm products have proven their ability to compete against imported ones, and people have started favouring them over the latter due to the quality and good prices of local products.
