PRIVATE farms in Bahrain could be turned into picnic spots to allow families to enjoy nature during the milder weather outdoors with their favourite sizzling sausages grilling on a BBQ.
The new proposal presented by Muharraq Municipal Council services and public utilities committee chairman Fadhel Al Oud could also allow the farms to offer full tours, gardening courses and provide visitors fresh produce and dairy products to cook on the spot.
“I realise that some farmers have struck deals with hotels, restaurants and hypermarkets to provide them with fresh produce but there is a potential bigger market that involves opening up their own farms,” he said.
“They could generate new income streams and bring interest to their green spaces. My proposal aims to get the farms opened up for picnics.
“Whether the actual farmer allows daily groups to attend or takes bookings for weekly picnics – details could be worked out at a later date – but the interaction with the public would be beneficial for all.”
Mr Al Oud
Mr Al Oud believes the initiative would open up a new market for farmers, help cover their operational costs, while also allowing them to market their products.
It could also become a money-making spin-off of the popular weekly farmers market and a boon to the eco-tourism industry growing in popularity globally.
The Bahraini Farmers Market’s ninth edition, which should have stretched from December last year to April this year, had to be cancelled by the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry, in line with Covid-19 health precautions.
Staged at Budaiya Botanical Garden, it regularly attracted thousands of visitors every Saturday.
People flocked there from all over the kingdom to buy fresh produce and enjoy live cooking demonstrations.
Popular
Mr Al Oud believes the ‘Family BBQ at the farm’ plan would prove even more popular.
“Simple is attractive,” he said, “and there is no limit to the creative ideas that farmers could introduce to their visitors.”
The proposal will be now reviewed by Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister Essam Khalaf and if approved could be published in the Official Gazette within two weeks.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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