Agriculture in Qatar
Agriculture in Qatar has always faced big challenges. The climate is very hot, rainfall is scarce, and there is little arable land. For most of history, people there relied on small-scale farming, camel and sheep herding, and fishing. Pearling and fishing were the main incomes before oil was found in 1939.
Dates have long been Qatar’s main crop. Date palms were among the first crops grown, and trading dates helped the economy in ancient times. Leaves from date trees were also used in building. Because the soil and climate aren’t good for large-scale crops, agriculture never became a big part of the economy, and pearling was more important for many years.
In 1908, observers described Qatar as mainly a pearl-fishing society, with agriculture barely existing. The few date palms and small gardens were not enough to rely on for most food needs. Livestock and local fishing did play roles in some areas, but farming on a large scale remained limited.
Oil money in the mid-20th century changed many things. As oil revenues grew, fewer Qataris worked in farming, and the country began importing more food. When food prices rose in the early 1970s, Qatar started trying to grow more food at home to be less dependent on imports. In 1974, officials studied agricultural potential and created committees to boost farming. At that time, agriculture contributed only about 0.65% of Qatar’s GDP.
Water and soil problems have always restricted farming. Qatar’s soils are mainly shallow and salty, with high temperatures and limited fresh water. In the 1980s and 1990s, researchers tested using seawater for farming to save scarce fresh water. Groundwater has been drawn down quickly, and experts warned that aquifers could run out in the future if usage continues.
By the 1990s and 2000s, arable land slowly increased but remained very small compared with the country’s size. In 1996, about 8,312 hectares were arable. By 2015, only about 2.5% of Qatar’s land—roughly 28,000 hectares—was suitable for farming or pastures. Most farming focuses on vegetables, dates, fodder for animals, and a few grains. Perennial crops are still dominated by date palms.
In recent years, Qatar has made a bigger push to boost self-sufficiency. After a 2017 diplomatic dispute that closed the land border with Saudi Arabia, Qatar began importing and expanding livestock and dairy. The Baladna company led dairy development, importing thousands of cows to meet domestic needs. By 2018–2019, dairy and poultry production had grown a lot, and much of Qatar’s meat, dairy, and vegetables were produced locally. By 2019, Qatar was increasingly self-sufficient in dairy, poultry, and vegetables, though it still imports some foods.
Besides farming, date syrup has been an important traditional product in Qatar since the 17th century. It’s made from pressed dates and has helped people stay nourished, especially pearl divers. Today, there’s renewed interest in date products as part of healthier diets.
Overall, agriculture in Qatar remains small and faces serious limits from soil and water, but it has gradually become more important for food security. The country continues to balance between growing what it can and importing what it cannot grow locally.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 19:03 (CET).