More than 212 tonnes of locally-grown produce have been sold during the first nine weeks of the Bahraini Farmers Market held at the Budaiya Botanical Gardens, the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry has revealed.
This included more than 100 different kinds of fruit and vegetables, with tomatoes being the most popular, alongside pumpkins, aubergine, also called eggplant, and beetroot.
The market will continue to welcome visitors until February 14 and convince them to buy local too.
The ministry stated that the market represents one of the key initiatives supporting local agricultural production and serves as a platform that enhances the presence of local products in the kingdom.
“It supports efforts to strengthen food security in Bahrain as part of a partnership between the ministry, the National Initiative for Agricultural Development (NIAD), and the private sector,” the ministry said in a statement.
“This partnership operates under an integrated model aimed at supporting and sustaining the agricultural sector.
“Over the past nine weeks, the market has witnessed a strong public turnout from citizens, residents and visitors to the kingdom, clearly indicating growing interest in local products and the market’s role in promoting a culture of consuming national agricultural produce.”
This year’s edition features 32 local farmers, alongside a number of agricultural companies, productive families, nurseries and beekeepers.
According to the ministry, more than 212 tonnes of local vegetables have been sold during the first nine weeks of the event.
This includes around 104 diverse varieties, which reflects the notable increase in both the volume and diversity of local agricultural production compared to previous years.
Tomatoes ranked first among the most supplied crops, with a total of 11,954kg, followed by red cherry tomatoes at 9,525kg, pumpkin at 8,524kg, aubergine at 8,355kg and white cauliflower with 7,424kg.
Other crops included maize at 6,194kg, mixed-colour cherry tomatoes at 5,710kg, cucumbers at 5,568kg, ‘Sayqal’ tomatoes at 5,340kg, and beetroot at 3,976kg.
The ministry affirmed the continued flow of local produce into the Bahraini Farmers Market. “It continues to play a vital role in supporting local agricultural products and enhancing the efficiency of links between farmers and consumers,” it said.
“It has contributed to increasing the agricultural sector’s share in the food security system and achieving the objectives of approved plans and programmes in this field.
“The ministry, in partnership with NIAD, is keen to monitor the market’s performance and develop its mechanisms in line with current requirements.
“This will be done in a manner that enhances the efficiency of marketing local products and supports the sustainability of local agricultural production.”
The GDN reported on November 29 that thousands of people, including citizens, expats and visitors from the GCC and abroad, flocked to the Budaiya Botanical Garden for the opening of the market.
The venue also features restaurants and cafés, handicraft activities, educational and recreational programmes for children and a number of family-friendly activities.
Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak highlighted the market’s role in developing the kingdom’s agricultural sector and encouraging private investment in the field.
He added that the market aims to boost local agricultural production by providing a direct platform to connect farmers with consumers, encouraging them to diversify their products.
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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