By Joseph Varghese/Staff Reporter

Al Safwaa Farm, situated at the northern area of Qatar, produces about one tonne of organic vegetables daily, giving a great boost for the organic products market in the country.

With 660 acres of land, Al Sawfaa is the first farm in the country to get the organic farming certification of the highest international level, an official said.

“We are the first Qatari organic certified company in Qatar. We started organic farming in 2011 and in 2013 we got the certification," the farm's marketing manager Olfa told Gulf Times on the sidelines of the 4th Qatar International Agricultural Exhibition ( AgriteQ), which concludes today.

“We have about 26 types of products which include five varieties of salad plants, two kinds of tomato, four types of eggplants and many others.We also have green beans, black beans and white beans.When we started, we had only four kinds of products.”

Olfa also pointed out that the farm has plans to expand the number of products in the near future. “By next year, we may add organic milk and cheese.We have a great number of livestock in the farm but they are only for private use. We are planning to set up a laboratory at the farm and once it is done, we will be able to provide many more organic products,”she hinted.

"We have signed an agreement with a well known US organic company named Green Field to bring some organic seeds and organic cheese to the country. In addition we have entered into a special agreement with a Thailand company to distribute certain flowers and ornamental plants. Through this agreement we are distributing orchids, some tropical flowers as well as bonsai,” she disclosed.

Olfa observed that there is great demand for organic products in the country. “In the beginning, we had some concerns how people will react to the organic products as their prices are higher than the ordinary products. In the beginning, we had to educate them and now there is great demand for organic products.”

At present 90% of the farm is used for organic agriculture and other products. The farm also produces natural honey without sugar. The plan is to convert the farm into 100% organic by 2018.

The farm does not sell the products directly. All the products are sold through Al Meera hypermarkets and supermarkets as well as Mono Prix Supermarket.