FARMERS, plant nursery owners and agricultural companies have until tomorrow to register to participate in the 12th edition of the Farmers Market which will be held at the Budaiya Botanical Garden in December.
Bahraini Productive Families, commercial establishments, restaurants, apiaries and environmental projects are also invited to register.
Under-Secretary for Agriculture and Animal Wealth Affairs Asim Abdullatif said that preparations for the event, being held in partnership with the National Initiative for Agricultural Development (NIAD), are complete.
“The organising committee has organised a variety of programmes and activities for adults and children during the course of the market,” said Mr Abdullatif, in a statement yesterday.
The market generally lasts from December until February, though dates for this year’s edition have not yet been announced.
“This is an important platform for local farmers to promote their crops and educate people on the importance of supporting local produce.
“The market has become one of the most anticipated events of the year, and it has attracted citizens and residents not just from the kingdom, but also from other GCC countries as well.”
More than 230,000 people were estimated to have visited the market last year, with thousands of people going to the market on the first day, and about 25,000 people visiting in the first month alone.
Last year, the market underwent a major revamp prior to its opening, with authorities expanding it to accommodate more Bahraini farmers in a bid to support local products and enhance food security in the country.
The new facilities included a farmers’ zone, a handicrafts zone, food zone, lake zone, picnic zone and a kids’ zone. Buses were also provided to visitors from the parking areas to the market.
Electrical generators were replaced with electricity, which now covers the entire market, and shopping aisles were developed and maintained, and 12 more bathrooms for visitors were added.
Several farmers, however, highlighted the lack of social media coverage last year, saying most of it was focused on events surrounding the market, instead of farmers themselves.
Those looking to register will have to do so in person at the Agricultural Incubators Building in Horat A’ali from 8am to 1pm either today or tomorrow, while Productive Families will have to register at the Social Development Ministry.
Owners of restaurants, cafés or other businesses will have to register online by using the link on the Farmers Market Instagram page @farmersbh.
They will need to enter the name of their business, their CR number, type of business, social media accounts and pick which location they would like to be in.
Restaurants and cafés will have the option to set up either in the Restaurants Zone, Al Kashta Zone or the Palm Oasis Zone, while all businesses will be set up in the Traditional Market.
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