Bahrain's permanent indoor farmers’ market in Howrat A’ali could have its space more than tripled under a municipal proposal to attract more farmers and visitors.
The current marketplace houses 60 farmers besides traditional restaurants and cafés offering local cuisine and drinks and almost as many have been petitioning for a spot at the popular destination.
Northern Municipal Council services and public utilities committee chairman and area councillor Faisal Shabib has proposed increasing the number of booths, stalls and spots for local farmers and chefs to 200.
“The market has huge potential and there is growing interest from farmers and chefs wanting spaces to showcase their produce and products,” he said.
“Accommodating only 60 farmers is not enough, knowing that there are so many more wanting to exhibit local fruits, vegetables, flowers, gardening products and equipment.
“This is why we need it to be expanded.”
The marketplace only closes on a Sunday and is open 313 days a year. Mr Shabib revealed that around 50 farmers had presented a petition appealing for space in the market.
The popular destination was built in 2015 following directives from Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of His Majesty the King and president of the National Initiative for Agricultural Development (NIAD) Consultative Council.
“The venue is small and can’t accommodate the flow of visitors now that things have opened up following the dark pandemic days,” he claimed, adding that hundreds of shoppers visit daily.
“This permanent market has been opened seven years ago and now is the time for it to progress, advance and develop what is currently being offered or presented.”
The proposal has been referred to the Cabinet, which will forward it to Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak for review.
The weekly farmers’ market is set to open later this year in its 10th edition at the Budaiya Botanical Garden for a 14-week run. As many as 25,000 people have shown up on a Saturday to attend the market which also features sections dedicated to traditional crafts, artists and dining, as well as recreational activities for children.
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