Agritech Opportunities in Qatar: A Summary for German SMEs and Start-ups

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Overview: Agritech is surging in Qatar, fueled by the government's commitment to food security and sustainable agriculture. Qatar's National Food Security Strategy has been supported by substantial investments in farming technology, AI in agriculture, and collaborations with global Agritech leaders. The new Qatar National Food Strategy, 2024-2030, is expected to be made public within the next months.

First things first: What is Agritech?

Agritech, short for agricultural technology, refers to the application of cutting-edge technologies and innovations in farming processes. This includes the use of precision agriculture, drones, sensors, IoT (Internet of Things), robotics, AI (Artificial Intelligence), and data analytics to optimize various aspects of agriculture such as crop monitoring, irrigation management, livestock monitoring, supply chain logistics, and overall farm management. Examples of agritech applications range from automated harvesting machines and smart irrigation systems to predictive analytics for crop disease detection and precision farming using GPS-guided tractors. Agritech aims to enhance productivity, sustainability, and resource efficiency in the agricultural sector.

In the realm of global agriculture, the pursuit of enhanced productivity, minimized waste, and sustainable practices takes center stage. Fueled by private investments and technological strides in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0), Agritech emerges as a transformative force set to reach a substantial USD 54.2 billion by 2030, surging from USD 11.1 billion in 2021 globally.

Agritech in the MENA region

This momentum is notably visible in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, where 33 investment deals in Agritech startups, amounting to $250 million in disclosed investments, were inked from 2014 to 2020. Qatar, in particular, has taken the lead with its ambitious National Food Security Strategy. The strategy encompasses substantial investments in farming technology, Geographic Information System (GIS), and next-generation AI in agricultural practices.

– in numbers

1. IoT connections: Expected to more than double by 2025, with licensed cellular IoT connections expected to reach more than 70 million
2. Water efficiency & reuse technologies: 70% of global total usage of tech like hydroponic farming, drip irrigation and desalination plants used in MENA’s agriculture sector
3. Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA): 70% of fresh vegetables and fruits could be economically grown in the region using CEA
4. Vertical farming: Forecasted to grow rapidly from USD 1.1 billion regional market size in 2021 to USD 5 billion by 2029

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Qatar's Leading Initiatives:

1. Qatar's latest National Food Security Strategy, 2024-2030 to be published soon (https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/07/10/2023/qatar-to-launch-new-national-food-security-strategy-in-2024-q1)
2. Qatar leads in IoT adoption, water efficiency, and CEA in agriculture in the region.
3. QSTP (https://qstp.org.qa/) hosts a diverse array of over 50 tech companies and R&D centers.
4. VFarms Lab, Qatar's experimental hybrid lab, pioneers the country's first agricultural farm without external water sources. (https://vfarms.qa/)
5. Partnerships with global Agritech companies like WadiWater and iFarm.

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Investment and Growth:

1. Qatar’s annual growth rate (CAGR) in domestic food production is an impressive 15.2%.
2. Qatar recorded a remarkable 400% uptick in domestic food production between 2017 and 2019.
3. The country achieved 100% self-sufficiency in poultry and 109% in dairy production in 2019.

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Opportunities for German SMEs and Start-ups:

1. Technology Transfer: German companies can explore partnerships for technology transfer in areas like IoT, water efficiency, and CEA.
2. Innovative Solutions: Offering cutting-edge solutions in vertical farming, precision agriculture, and sustainable water management.
3. Research Collaborations: Collaborating with Qatari research institutions and R&D centers for joint projects.
4. Supply Chain Integration: Providing expertise in optimizing supply chains for efficient agricultural production.

Related upcoming events in Doha:

Agriteq 2024, February 21st – 27th, 2024

Link: https://agriteq.com/en/agriteq-home/

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Web Summit Qatar, February 26th – 29th, 2024

Link: https://qatar.websummit.com/

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BVMW SME Delegation to Doha, March 4th – 7th, 2024

For details, please reach out to our team.

[email protected]

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More information on Agriculture in Qatar, please visit:

https://www.invest.qa/en/sectors-and-opportunities/agriculture

Sources:

Invest Qatar, Qatar National Food Security Strategy 2018 –2023, ESCWA