Bahrain’s permanent indoor farmers market in Howrat A’ali could be expanded to include more stalls, under a municipal proposal to attract more farmers and visitors to the popular destination.
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 facility.
Northern Municipal Council financial, administrative and legislative committee chairman and area councillor Dr Salman Abdulla has proposed increasing the number of booths and stalls for local farmers and chefs to 200.
“The market has a huge potential and there is growing interest from farmers and chefs wanting spaces to showcase their produce and products,” he told the GDN.
“Accommodating 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 to expand the facility.
“It need not be an extension of the same building, another facility can be constructed in the same premises to offer a range of services. Part of the car park could be revamped and utilised for the market.”
Dr Abdulla said government officials could come up with a blueprint for the marketplace.
“I want to see an advancement, development and positive change,” he said, adding that “the government should present something that takes the market into the future.”
The market in Howrat A’ali only closes on Sundays and is open 313 days a year.
Dr Abdulla revealed that around 50 farmers had presented a petition appealing for more space inside the market.
The proposal is set to be discussed at the Northern Municipal Council’s meeting on Monday.
The popular destination was built in 2015 following directives from Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of His Majesty King Hamad and National Initiative for Agricultural Development Consultative Council president.
“The venue is small and cannot accommodate a surge in visitors, now that things have returned back to normal following the dark pandemic days,” stressed Dr Abdulla, adding that hundreds of shoppers visit the facility every day.
“This permanent market was opened eight years ago and now is the time to develop what is currently being offered or presented.”
He said the proposal had the backing of other councillors and will be forwarded to Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak for review following approval.
The 11th edition of the weekly farmers market is set to open later this year at the Budaiya Botanical Garden. 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.
The GDN reported in March this year that Bahrain is set to step up efforts to boost food security and ensure the sustainability of supply chains by increasing agricultural, animal and marine products.
According to Mr Al Mubarak, local farm products are expected to increase gradually by 50 per cent, thanks to the use of hydroponics system.
There are also plans for a new hatching aqua farm with a capacity to breed 15 million finger fish.
Another initiative has resulted in the General Poultry Company expanding its production of eggs by 50pc.
The minister was replying in writing at the time to a question by second vice-chairwoman Dr Jihad Al Fadhel on food security plans, strategies and initiatives.
Mr Al Mubarak added that the International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas was working with Bahrain on compatible methods and advanced techniques that suit the country’s climate. He said Bahrain was also set to approve the Unified GCC Plants Genetic Resources Management for Foods and Agriculture Law.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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