Homegrown strawberries will be on offer at one of Qatar’s largest farmer’s markets over the next few days after local farms produced a high yield using new growing techniques.

The “strawberry festival” is on today and tomorrow at the Mazrouah Yard in northern Qatar.

QNA reports Assistant Undersecretary of Agricultural Affairs, Livestock and Fisheries at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) Sheikh Dr. Faleh bin Nasser Al -Thani as saying:

“Strawberry stocks at the festival for sale are fresh and of high quality and directly from local farms.”

He added that the strawberries were grown without soil, in a way that conserves water (hydroponic farming), and that the ministry is considering extending the cultivation of strawberries all year round.

Qatar’s farms are also working to grow different varieties of fruits and vegetables using this less water-consuming technique, he said.

The strawberry festival will be held only Al Mazrouha Yard – located opposed the veterinary center in Umm Salal, east of Lusail – this weekend, with other events coming soon, another official said.

Speaking to Doha News, one of the participating growers Global Farms said packages of strawberries are being sold for about QR5 per 250g.

The market is open daily between 7am and 5pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Vendors only accept cash, but there is an on-site ATM. Here’s a map.

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