Qatar Fertiliser Company (QAFCO) and Qatar University signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance cooperation between them in various fields, including sponsoring agricultural research to support and develop the agricultural sector in Qatar and enhancing the knowledge of Qatari stakeholders  in the agricultural sector in addition to cooperation in the field of scientific research.

The memorandum was signed by His Excellency Dr. Hassan bin Rashid Al-Derham, President of Qatar University, and Mr. Abdulrahman M. Al-Suwaidi, Managing Director and CEO of QAFCO.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Dr. Mariam Al-Maadeed, Vice President of the University for Research and Graduate Studies, Dr. Khaled bin Nasser Al-Khater, Vice President for Administration and Finance, Dr. Hassan Al-Sayed, Director of the Social and Economic Survey Research Institute at Qatar University in addition to a number of officials from Qatar University and QAFCO.

Commenting on the MoU, Dr. Hassan bin Rashid Al-Derham, President of the University, said: “The cooperation between Qatar University and QAFCO is not new”. He commended the reputation of QAFCO at the local and international levels, stressing that it has attracted many of Qatar University graduates and students. He also commended its MD&CEO, Mr. Abdulrahman M. Al-Suwaidi stressing that he is a strong supporter of the university and its various activities. Dr. Al-Derham spoke about the role of the recently established Qatar Research, Development and Innovation Council that included in its strategy to encourage and strengthen this type of initiative to enhance the role of scientific research and its development, and to coordinate with petrochemical companies in areas that benefit society, which also reflects directly its development.

In this context, Dr. Al-Derham stressed that food security has become a priority after the blockade, and the university wants to progress the role of its farm and develop it into a model farm that benefits researchers and society with a focus on new technologies in the field of agriculture so that expertise and technology are combined.

Mr. Al-Suwaidi, said: “QAFCO is proud to partner with the local educational sector as part of its support towards Qatar’s vision of a knowledge-based economy. By signing the cooperation with Qatar University, QAFCO hopes to facilitate the development of a world-class educational system in Qatar, in alignment with the human development pillars of QNV 2030.”

Dr. Maryam Al-Maadeed spoke and praised QAFCO’s cooperation with the university and its rapid response to the university's request to support the field of scientific research.

The College of the North Atlantic in Qatar (CNAQ) and Qatar Fertiliser Company (QAFCO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance cooperation in various fields. The MoU was signed by Prof. Dr. Khalifa bin Nasser Al Khalifa, President of the College of the North Atlantic in Qatar and Mr. Abdulrahman M. Al-Suwaidi, Managing Director and CEO of QAFCO. The MoU covers the topics of internal training, sponsorship of students of CNAQ, as well as technical training for short courses for QAFCO employees. The signing of this agreement follows from QAFCO’s visit to the CNAQ campus earlier this fall.

Prof. Khalifa Al Khalifa said, "We are very happy to sign this important Memorandum of Understanding with QAFCO, which is one of the largest companies in the world in the field of chemical fertilizers production, as this agreement will be of benefit to both parties. We look forward to closer cooperation with QAFCO as we move forward in this important partnership in a way that guarantees benefit for both college students and QAFCO employees, and for the benefit of the Qatari economy."

Mr. Al-Suwaidi said, "QAFCO is proud to partner with the local educational sector as part of its support towards Qatar’s vision of a knowledge-based economy. By signing the cooperation with CNAQ, QAFCO hopes to facilitate the development of a world-class educational system in Qatar, in alignment with the human development pillars of QNV 2030.”

Qatar Fertiliser Company (QAFCO) celebrated its 50^th anniversary since establishment and five decades of an international reputation as a premium manufacturer and supplier of high quality urea. 

A special celebration was held at the Qatar National Convention Centre, under the patronage and in the attendance of His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al Thani, the Prime Minister of the State of Qatar. The event was also attended by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, and His Excellency Mr. Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, the Minister of the State for Energy Affairs, President & CEO of Qatar Petroleum, along with senior Qatari and Norwegian executives and officials.

Speaking at the event, His Excellency Mr. Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, reviewed Qatar's achievements over the past five decades in the energy sector in general and the petrochemical industry in particular. He said, “QAFCO was the first building block in Mesaieed Industrial City, and the first Qatari petrochemical manufacturer to export its products from Mesaieed port to the world, in addition to being the first company to train and develop Qatari human potential to work in and lead the petrochemical sector.”

H.E. Minister Al Kaabi added, “QAFCO is a cornerstone in Industries Qatar, the largest listed company on Qatar Stock Exchange, which has benefited the national economy. This was followed by the establishment “Muntajat”, an experienced Qatari market leader in the marketing of petrochemical products, which is exclusively responsible for the marketing of QAFCO's products throughout the world.”

H.E. the Minister of State for Energy affairs pointed to the role of joint ventures in advancing the national economy and said, “Joint ventures are not only to provide investment opportunities, expertise and resources, but also to contribute significantly to growth and sustainability, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030, which was launched and guided by His Highness the Amir, with the aim of transforming aims at transforming Qatar into an advanced country by 2030, capable of sustaining its own development and providing for a high standard of living for all of its people for generations to come. Based on this, we are placing the highest priority on the development of Qatari nationals, the prudent management of our hydrocarbon resources, the well-planned and diversified investment, and on ensuring to carry out our projects out in accordance with the highest environmental standards”.

QAFCO is amongst the first petrochemical enterprises in Qatar established by the Government of Qatar, Norsk Hydro, The Power-Gas Corporation Ltd and Hambros Bank Ltd in 1969.  Today the ownership is shared 75/25 between Qatar Petroleum and YARA International ASA. QAFCO’s annual production capacity is 5.6 million metric tonnes of urea and 3.8 million metric tonnes of ammonia which are marketed and sold exclusively by Muntajat. QAFCO worldwide is recognized as the largest single-site fertiliser plant and is about 14% of the world’s traded urea; it is the largest single site producer of urea in the world and represents a significant percentage of the world’s traded supply.

QAFCO also established Gulf Formaldehyde Company (2003) and Qatar Melamine Company (2006); further supporting the State of Qatar’s industrial diversification strategy.

Qatar Fertiliser Company (QAFCO), Agrico and Yara International ASA (Norway) jointly conducted a “Greenhouse Fertigation” workshop for 20 experienced agronomists and farm managers from Qatar on April 10, 2019 at the Hydroponic Trial and Demonstration Center in Al Khor. This workshop was one of the initiatives of the Cooperation Agreement that the parties recently signed on the 15^th of October 2018.  

The Trial and Demonstration Center occupies an area of more than 4,000 square meters.  Its purpose is  to develop and demonstrate the most sustainable crop management systems suitable for Qatar to the local farming community.

The workshop covered theoretical and practical aspects of fertigation management for hydroponic systems which are becoming more popular in Qatar for growing vegetables. Fertigation is a method of application of required nutrients through irrigation systems. The participants of the workshop had a chance to deepen their knowledge of different types of fertilizers, differences in fertigation and foliar application of fertilizers. Several theoretical problems were solved to demonstrate the importance of usage of wide range of nutrients in order to maximize production. Different dosing equipment were studied to demonstrate advantages of precise application of fertilizers for maximum productivity of crops. A demonstration was also conducted on using simple online software such as www.myyara.com to calculate recipes of fertilizer solution for different crops and growing stages. The workshop concluded with a tour around The Trial and Demonstration center that currently produces tomatoes and cucumbers.

The workshop was conducted by Tore Frogner, Calcinit Product Manager from Yara Norway and Carol Khadra, Agronomist from Yara Middle East.

QAFCO organised a variety of competitions on the Coronavirus (COVID-19), consisting of an art competition, video contest and an essay writing competition. Children of staff members of QAFCO entered the competition expressing the challenges faced during the pandemic and ways to spend time at home. The competition highlights QAFCO’s contribution to public awareness in light of the COVID-19 crisis that served to create awareness amongst the wider community, especially children.

The competition was divided into three categories, varied by age group and recorded a total of 37 entries that were submitted online. Winners were announced on April 2. In the first category, aged 4 – 8, winners included Anshul Sunil Acharya and Muhammad Abdullah Sohaib. In the next category, aged 9 – 14 years, winners were Niveditha Senthil and Aisha Zenha. In the final category, aged 15 – 18 years, the winners were Anoushka Kamle and Roma Engelica N. Manaois. All winners were given gift vouchers as cash prizes to encourage participation.

Committed towards the well-being of the community, the management regularly hosts activities to benefit the QAFCO community. The coronavirus competition showcases the fun and engaging face of QAFCO’s brand that is geared towards building the capacity of children who are seen as the future of the nation.

QAFCO invited employees and their children to celebrate Qatar Environment Day, usually observed on 26th February every year, with an Art Competition, themed under the title, ‘QAFCO’s Contribution to Greener Qatar’. The event highlighted Qatar’s sustainability challenges, using art as a tool to educate children about their role in protecting the environment. The competition was divided into three categories, varied by age group, and recorded 57 entries that were collected at Al Banush Club.

In the first category, aged 4 – 8, winners included Monisha Lakshmi Narayanan, Abhirami Saravanan, and Inayat Garg. In the next category, aged 9 – 14 years, winners were Munahil Ilyas, Harsitaa S. and Arsheya Jeyakumar. In the final category, aged 15 – 18 years, the winners were Meerub Muhammad Ilyas, Nazneen Khan and Samiha Tajmila Sami.

In parallel, an Art Competition was also arranged at the Audio Complex School for Classes 3, 4, and 5.

QAFCO’s Contribution to Greener Qatar is one of many ways in which it strives to inculcate values of sustainability, education and environmentally-friendly living to its wider community.