Challenges of Marketing Local Agricultural Production and Development Proposals

Agricultural engineer Mohammed Al-Fraih asserted that the current state of the vegetable market in the Shuwaikh area is no different from that of “Al-Fardah” in Old Kuwait City prior to the comprehensive development the country has undergone over the past quarter-century, despite the municipality’s oversight and regulation of the spaces, as well as its planning of facilities and maintenance. In a statement to Al-Watan, he said, that this occurred despite the visit made by the chairman and members of the Municipal Council in 1984 to the markets of Paris, Tunis, and Amsterdam to study their organization and methods of buying and selling agricultural and other products, in addition to the decisions and laws proposed from time to time to develop our local market. Despite all this, we have not achieved tangible results that benefit both local farmers and consumers... and all that has happened over the past 30 years is the relocation of a group of beneficiaries from the vegetable market from one place to another. Al-Fraih noted that the local consumer reluctantly accepts this situation despite being fully aware that half of the goods imported from abroad are filled with weeds and leaves as a form of fraud and deception. He added that many imported fruits lose a significant portion of their shelf life before being put on the market for sale, in addition to variations in size and quality within a single package. A Kuwaiti proverb says, “On the surface, everything looks fine… but only God knows what lies beneath,” and this proverb is echoed by everyone who enters the vegetable market… Combating Local Production He stated that it is not in the interest of merchants and distributors to promote local agricultural production because of their ties to foreign suppliers with whom they deal on a known and fixed commission basis; therefore, they oppose local production from this perspective, and it is not in their interest to develop or encourage it. Al-Fraih added that the time has come for a realistic assessment to study past marketing and plan for the future in order to achieve agricultural marketing goals, serve this vital agricultural sector, and encourage national farmers. To achieve positive results in this area, Al-Fraih suggests that the relevant authorities consider the following ideas and proposals: that the Kuwait Municipality, as the entity directly responsible for the vegetable market, establish a Marketing Council for Vegetables and Fruits as an independent body under the Cabinet, comprising: - the Kuwait Municipality, the Public Authority for Agriculture and Fisheries, the Farmers’ Union, and the Union of Agricultural Consumer Cooperative Societies. This council would be responsible for studying and regulating the wholesale market on the basis of an “exchange” open to all local and imported fruits and vegetables. The Fruit and Vegetable Market "exchange" is responsible for receiving the goods offered and putting them up for open public auction based on specifications, quality, and quantity. The Fruit and Vegetable Market sets the specifications that must be adhered to for both local and imported produce. The market is directly linked to exporters wishing to sell on commission and to importers, and the sale of fruits and vegetables outside the market is prohibited. Wholesale traders are registered with the market and are the only ones permitted to enter the market and purchase at auction. Additionally, the market is equipped with cold storage facilities for preserving and distributing products. Agricultural Products Company Al-Fraih explained that the Agricultural Food Products Company could serve as a specialized hub for receiving and marketing all agricultural products, given its capabilities and the expertise it has gained from its marketing experience. However, the only obstacle facing the company in this area is that it engages in purely commercial activities and cannot reconcile the interests of local farmers with its aforementioned activities...