Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Inaugurates the 12th Edition of the Bahraini Farmers' Market
December 7, 2024 - February 22, 2025
The Budaiya Botanical Gardens
His Excellency Engineer Wael bin Nasser Al-Mubarak, Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, affirmed that the launch of the 12th edition of the Bahraini Farmers' Market stands as a testament to the Kingdom of Bahrain's strong and sustained commitment to supporting the agricultural sector. This initiative aligns with the strategic directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, as well as the ongoing support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, in efforts to strengthen food security in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals and the Government Plan. HE also recognized the continuous support of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, the wife of His Majesty the King, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Women, and Chairperson of the Advisory Council for the National Initiative for Agricultural Development, who has played a pivotal role in advancing the Bahraini Farmers' Market.
This took place during the opening of the twelfth edition of the Bahraini Farmers' Market at the Budaiya Botanical Garden, with the presence of several esteemed ministers, Her Excellency Shaikha Maram bint Isa Al Khalifa, Secretary-General of the National Initiative for Agricultural Development, Engineer Khalid bin Baijan Al-Oseimi, CEO of STC Bahrain, along with a number of distinguished members of parliament and other officials.
The launch of the Bahraini Farmers’ market coincides with Bahrain's national celebrations and the anniversary of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa's accession to the throne, along with other national events.
His Excellency emphasized the Ministry's commitment, in partnership with relevant entities, to launch effective and versatile initiatives aimed at uplifting the agricultural sector and making it a key contributor to the strategy for achieving food security in the Kingdom of Bahrain. He also expressed appreciation for the significant support the market receives from the National Initiative for Agricultural Sector Development.
The Minister further stated that the partnership with the private sector, represented by STC Bahrain, highlights the success of collaborative efforts in advancing Bahrain's national initiatives. He emphasized that this collaboration directly contributes to the growth of the agricultural sector, commending STC Bahrain’s support in developing the farmers' market infrastructure and sponsoring it for four consecutive seasons. The Minister also acknowledged the valuable contributions of both governmental bodies and private sector institutions in supporting the farmers' market activities, underscoring the importance of community partnership in backing such initiatives, which play a crucial role in driving the Kingdom’s economic development.
In her remarks, Her Excellency Shaikha Maram bint Isa Al Khalifa, Secretary-General of the National Initiative for Agricultural Development, stated: "The launch of the twelfth edition of the Bahraini Farmers' Market is the result of the substantial support the agricultural sector receives from His Majesty the King. This initiative is among the projects that the National Initiative for Agricultural Development is committed to continuously advancing, in line with the noble guidance and ongoing oversight of Her Royal Highness, wife of His Majesty the King, Chairperson of the Advisory Council for the National Initiative for Agricultural Development."
Sheikha Maram highlighted that the initiative always aims to support farmers, particularly in providing outlets to market their products. The Farmers' Market serves as an important platform that has enabled Bahraini farmers to build a wide customer base, motivating many of them to diversify their products and introduce new items that are in demand locally.
The launch of the Bahraini Farmers' Market witnessed a significant turnout of citizens, residents, and visitors, both from within the Kingdom and abroad. The event featured a diverse display of locally produced agricultural goods and food products from the manufacturing sector.
It is noteworthy that the number of participating Bahraini farmers amounts to 33, representing various agricultural products, along with 4 specialized agricultural companies, 4 plant nurseries, 65 participants from small projects and home-based businesses, 2 date shops, 4 beekeeping participants, as well as 19 restaurants and cafes and 20 commercial outlets. This year’s edition also features the participation of several government entities, including the Supreme Council for the Environment, which is campaigning for "Every Drop Has a Story," aimed at raising awareness about the use of gray water for irrigation and agriculture, and the Ministry of Health, which focuses on the impact of food and unhealthy habits. Additionally, charitable organizations such as the Alia Center for Early Intervention and Dar Al-Manar for Parent Care are also participating.
This edition will also include numerous activities and programs, such as folk performances by the Dar Al-Budaiya Folk Band, live shows in collaboration with the Spring of Culture, 12 agricultural training workshops, and an equal number of artistic workshops, alongside “The Little Farmer Experience” and an awareness campaign about food waste.