BAHRAIN’S most popular Farmers’ Market resumes on Saturday after being discontinued due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
When last held in 2019, the market – now in its ninth edition – attracted a record 25,000 people and featured 38 farms and four farming companies besides bee-keepers and restaurants.
The eagerly-awaited market will be held every Saturday starting December 25 at the Budaiya Botanical Garden, announced Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister Essam Khalaf yesterday.
It is being organised in collaboration with the National Initiative for Agricultural Development (NIAD).
“The Farmers’ Market organising committee was keen to co-ordinate with the National Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus (Covid-19) to ensure that all necessary measures and precautions are taken,” Mr Khalaf said in a statement.
“The market has become a catalyst for competition between farmers who are keen to display various agricultural products.
“The large turnout that the market witnesses annually has also prompted farmers to take advantage of modern agricultural technologies.”
Mr Khalaf reaffirmed that the ministry was moving forward in implementing the royal directives and the continuous follow-up of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to boost the agricultural sector.
He added that the sector is relied upon to support efforts to achieve sustainable food security in Bahrain in line with the strategies pursued by the ministry.
“The market has become a national event through its ability to attract a number of citizens, residents, tourists and citizens from the GCC countries as it represents a platform to display local agricultural products,” said the ministry’s Agriculture and Marine Affairs Under-Secretary Ebrahim Al Hawaj.
“The revival of the market after its disruption due to the pandemic comes as a translation of the directives of Mr Khalaf in supporting the marketing efforts of Bahraini farmers by providing sites to display their products.
“Co-operation with NIAD resulted in ensuring the continuity of the remarkable success achieved during the previous editions of the market.”
The market has traditionally attracted thousands of visitors due to its fresh, organic and local produce and has been a model for GCC countries to adopt the concept within efforts to encourage their national agricultural production.
The GDN previously reported that all precautionary measures will be in place during the market to ensure safety of all and that the participation will be limited to stalls selling local products without any recreational activities taking place.
Handicrafts such as metalworking, pottery, textile weaving and gypsum engraving have been showcased at the festival in the past as well as henna painting, food stalls and various activities for children.
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