For countries like Bahrain, which import most of their food from outside, security poses a big challenge for policy makers. Exploiting internal potential, including modernising existing agricultural practices by providing high-tech equipment to farmers, lessons on conservation of natural resources like water and soil, insecticide and fertilisers can increase output. If these and similar measures are taken seriously, agricultural output can dramatically increase, which in turn, gives a certain margin of guarantee in food security. Apart from these initiatives, Bahrain due to its location, coastal areas and climate can look to its marine resources and augment the production of fish stocks, which are currently exposed to intensive fishing practices and likely to deplete some stocks of fish at any time. That is why the authorities ban shrimping for certain months during the year to wait for stocks to replenish.
However, Bahrain is working to develop fish farming (aquaculture) programmes to restock, which can also be an alternative way to ensure food security and self-sufficiency.
The introduction of this system starts with training staff. The GDN has reported that “a batch of 15 Bahraini graduates have received training in fish farming. During the ceremony, Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister Essam Khalaf stressed the importance of fish farming, highlighting directives of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa to develop the sector as part of efforts to achieve sustainable food security”.
Bahrain is on the right track to exploit its marine resources. The government’s determination to invest financially in aquaculture can create employment, generate income and contribute to food security.
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