June 23, 2025
DHAKA – In the wake of a geopolitical crisis in 2017, Qatar found itself at a crossroads. The nation, long reliant on imports to feed its population, faced empty shelves and a stark realization: it needed to rethink its food systems. This recalibration presented an unexpected opportunity for thousands of Bangladeshi workers and entrepreneurs, who have since played a pivotal role in transforming Qatar’s agricultural landscape.
The crisis began on June 5, 2017, when Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt imposed a land, air, and sea embargo on Qatar. Panic ensued as food supplies dwindled. Although temporary solutions were found through Turkey and Iran, the vulnerability of Qatar’s import-dependent food system was exposed. In response, the Qatar National Food Security Strategy (QNFSS) 2018–2023 was launched, setting ambitious targets: 70% self-sufficiency in vegetable production and complete self-sufficiency in milk and poultry by 2023.
By 2023, Qatar had met its milk and poultry targets and achieved 46% self-sufficiency in vegetable production. This progress was largely due to the efforts of migrant labourers, particularly Bangladeshi workers, who not only toiled on farms but also leased land and applied a mix of traditional and modern farming techniques. Their contributions are evident in regions like Al Rayyan, Al Khor, and Al Shamal, where farms produce a variety of vegetables, herbs, and even ornamental flowers. Recently, Bangladeshi entrepreneurs have ventured into livestock, poultry, honey production, and experimental fish farming.
However, the journey has not been without challenges. Many Bangladeshi workers face harsh conditions, often entering Qatar on domestic worker visas only to be transferred to farms. They work in extreme heat, sometimes seven days a week, without proper wages, overtime pay, or holidays. While some modern farms offer better conditions, these remain exceptions. The labourers’ perseverance, despite systemic exploitation, is driven by the promise of opportunity.
The transition from domestic service to agricultural labour has created an informal yet vital labour stream. Many workers, overqualified for farm work, had no choice after struggling with visa issues. This mismatch reduces productivity and traps workers in exploitative cycles. Yet, their perseverance is building a legacy of agricultural knowledge transfer. As these migrants master farming innovations like hydroponics, aquaponics, and dry-climate techniques, they gain skills that could prove invaluable back home, particularly as Bangladesh faces increasing climate volatility.
Qatar’s newly launched QNFSS 2030 sets even bolder goals: 55% self-sufficiency in vegetable production, 100% in dairy and poultry, and significant increases in red meat and fish production. Achieving these targets will require not just land and technology but also people. This opens the door to a more structured and humane partnership between Qatar and Bangladesh.
Research suggests that Bangladeshi workers are a valuable asset in Qatar’s food security efforts. Their role could be further strengthened through a government-to-government (G2G) agreement ensuring fair wages, benefits, and the migration of pre-trained agricultural workers and field technicians. Such an arrangement would boost Qatar’s agricultural productivity while reducing exploitation and improving worker morale. It would also create a sustainable model of cooperation, allowing both nations to benefit—Qatar through food security, and Bangladesh through skill-building and economic advancement for its migrant workforce.
Moreover, the knowledge and skills acquired in Qatar would enable returning Bangladeshi workers and entrepreneurs to contribute meaningfully to agricultural development at home. Their exposure to specialist practices such as hydroponics, aquaponics, and other arid-climate farming methods—vital under the looming threats of climate change—would position them as key agents in advancing climate-resilient agriculture in Bangladesh.