Page 90 - Arabian Studies (V)

80 Arabian Studies V

almost all demarcated farms, developed or otherwise, are owned by
members of the ruling families of the country. While farming is not
the primary occupat ion of these landowners, many of them directly or
indirectly participate in annual farming decisions. The farming itself
is carried out mainly by Palestinians, Iranians or Egyptians, who
operate under either one of two arrangements; as paid managers, or as
annual rent-paying tenants. Most of the managers are sponsored
immigrants whereas the majority of tenant farmers (making up 36 per
cent of all farmers) arc those who have acquired some form of resident
immigrant status. Managers are normally paid a monthly wage with a
bonus and sometimes a share of the produce, although neither of these
perquisites are mandatory. Tenants are provided with the basic infra­
structure by the landlord and include pumps, farm labourer quarters
and, in some cases, accommodation. The amount of annual rent tends
to vary with the extent of land, water quality, soil depth, fertility and
proximity to the main market of Doha but is estimated to average
QR4,850 (£750) per annum. Generally, tentative annual farming
plans and input requirements are suggested by managers but are
subjected to critical appraisal by the landowner or his agent and may
be modified before a final decision is made. Tenant farmers make
their own decisions and provide their own materials, some of which,
such as seed, fertilizers, herbicides etc., may be provided free by
Government depending upon availability at thetime.
Thus the greater proportion of land in Qatar is being farmed upon
decisions made or largely influenced by landowners who have other
substantial sources of income and regard farming as a part-time
recreation. As a result personal preferences are imposed over those of
the dictates of the market with consequent gluts and depressed prices
at certain times of the year. Shortage of labour during peak activity
periods is also a major problem owing to higher wages being paid in
the urban sector and the reluctance of landowners to match these,
either in cash or by kind. Tenant farmers on the other hand face a
different set of problems, although stemming from the same source.
If government supplies are inadequate or untimely, as they sometimes
are, the landlord is not obliged to supplement these directly or to
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extend credit with the result that adequate levels of supplies and
materials are not provided to ensure optimum production. On many
farms, pumps and engines are old and in need of replacement, but in
recent years there has been a reluctance on the part of landlords to
replace these capital items. Consequently, there is a tendency for
farmers to utilise the more efficient pumps and over-pump one bore­
hole for prolonged periods with resulting excessive drawdown and
deterioration in water quality and subsequent soil salinisation. With
« progressive salinisation from over-pumping coupled with an
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