Report on QNRF Project Planning Workshop, University of Qatar, Doha, 8-13 February 2014: Project Number NPRP 6-064-4â€"001: Improving Food Security in Qatar: Assessing Alternative Cropping Systems Feasibility and Productivity in Variable Climates, Soil and Marketing Environments

The purpose of this inaugural meeting was to identify and adapt the decision-making framework and associated decision support tools. A brainstorming session was held with key personnel from the Ministry of Environment, Qatar National Food Security Program, relevant people from Qatar University and Hassad Food to get their perspectives on food security related issues. Hassad Food has invested in Australia by buying farms for food security. The meeting discussed the importance of the end-users of the information from our project in determining priority outcomes. Crop-selection, soil-management, risk-management, and decision support tools will be the main project outputs. Outputs will benefit other countries besides Qatar.