Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, General Manager, Katara (right), with Salman Mohammad Al Naimi, President of the committee of Mahaseel festival, at a press conference at Katara yesterday. Pic: Abdul Basit / The Peninsula
Fresh produce from local farms available at cheap price will feature the inaugural Mahaseel Festival, the latest initiative of Cultural Village Foundation – Katara to support and promote the country’s agricultural and livestock industry.
“The launch of “Mahaseel Festival”, is considered to be a new initiative that stems from Katara’s role that focuses on serving the community. Moreover, this initiative is a renewal of Katara’s commitment towards supporting Qatari agricultural sector and national livestock and food products, as well as offering new business opportunities to the owners of Qatari farms,” Katara General Manager Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, said at a press conference yesterday.
“This is the first time we are hosting this kind of festival in which many different Qatari organisations and local farms are taking part,” festival committee chairman Salman Mohammad Al Naimi, Committee told The Peninsula on the sidelines of the press conference.
A total of 22 outlets and 12 vending vehicles will be participating at the festival at the southern area of Katara scheduled from January 3 to 7 from 8am to 9pm, after which it will open every Friday and Saturday from 8am to 6pm until April.
“The festival will see an outstanding market where only the best quality Qatari agricultural products will be available including vegetables, fresh fruits, honey, poultry, dairy, fresh juices and flowers,” explained Al Naimi, who is also Director of Coordination and Follow-Up Unit at Katara.
Compared to those in the market, he said the products which will be sold at the festival will be cheaper.
Asked on how they will ensure price control, Al Naimi said they are cooperating with relevant entities such as the Ministry of Economy and Commerce in this regard.
“Katara is very keen on showing interest in all the cultural sides relevant to the various festivals and events we launch and sponsor, and based on this perception, “Mahaseel festival” will also include competitions, exhibitions, and remarkable cultural activities, in a bid to promote awareness among both consumers and farmers about the Qatari food products,” said Al Sulaiti.
Several events and student-based activities have been line up for the festival such as fruits and vegetable arrangement competition in which students from 10 Qatari schools will vie for the prize. In addition, there will be a weekly contest to be announced by Katara every Friday and Saturday, where each winner gets a QR2,000 worth purchasing coupons, according to Al Naimi.
The festival will also include the “Nakheel (Palms) Exhibition,” aimed at raising awareness on the method of planting process the tree, the fruits’ health benefits, important foods, industries and traditional crafts as well as the status of the palm tree in the holy Quran, explained Al Naimi.
In collaboration with local charity organizations, Katara will distribute food products to needy families at the end of each day of the festival, said Al Sulaiti.
"Furthermore, as a gesture of support to the farm owners taking part in this festival, Katara restaurants will buy food product requirements from the festival,” he said.
