DOHA, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Qatar will become self-sufficient in food production, one year after the Saudi-led blocs imposed a blockade on the tiny oil-rich country, local media reported Saturday.
The Qatari farms have more than doubled production since the siege, a senior official at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment was quoted as saying by the Peninsula newspaper.
"The farms have increased their production after the siege, and the ministry is ready to provide all support to these farms like equipment, vehicles, guidance and agricultural fertilizers,'' the Qatari official said.
The official also announced that a number of Qatari firms have helped increase the production of the less productive local farmers, by offering technical support and purchasing their products.
Before the eruption of the Gulf crisis, Qatar imported about 90 percent of its food through the Abu Samra crossing on its border with Saudi Arabia.
Last June, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt severed diplomatic ties with Qatar and cut off all land, air and sea links to the gas-rich state.
In response, Qatar turned to Turkey, Iran, Oman and India to secure food import, saying it has foiled the Saudi-led blockade by succeeding in finding alternative channels for food supplies despite "edged-up" transport costs.
