Agriculture Census in Qatar (2021): Towards Sustainable Food Security

Abstract

The Social and Economic Survey Research Institute (SESRI) at Qatar University is implementing the agricultural census in Qatar (2021), which is funded by the Ministry of Municipality and Environment. Agricultural census is a statistical process based on collecting, processing, and disseminating data on the structure of agriculture, which often covers the whole country or a large part of it. It usually involves collecting agricultural data such as the size of properties, land usage, cropping areas, irrigation, number of farm animals, resources, and manpower. Censuses are conducted regularly every ten years to provide more recent data for agricultural policy purposes. The data provided by the census is important for food security policies and Qatar National Vision 2030, which aims at the development and expansion of the agricultural sector. This requires the introduction of “finest practices” and an agricultural business model focused on economic efficiency, profitable and sustainable agriculture, optimal use of scarce resources, and a minimal impact on the environment. The objectives of the project are summarized as follows: • Provide sample frame for agricultural surveys. • Provide data of agriculture structure in the State of Qatar, which include properties, resources, production, and cost. • Provide up-to-date data for crops, vegetables, livestock, and used areas.