Local produce on show at popular farmers’ market

COLOURFUL vegetables, different types of tomatoes, and chilli peppers of different sizes are some of the local produce that will go on display this Saturday as the much-awaited Bahraini Farmers’ Market opens.

Now in its 10th edition, the popular market will be held at the Budaiya Botanical Garden every Saturday for 14 weeks.

The popular seasonal market witnesses a high turnout of visitors from Bahrain and the GCC countries, confirming the distinguished status of the market which has evolved into a regional attraction.

Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry Under-Secretary for Animal Wealth Resources and Acting Under-Secretary for Agriculture and Marine Resources Dr Khalid Hassan said that authorities are keen to continue the path of excellence in this national event.

“The Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry – in partnership with the supporting authorities – led by the National Initiative for Agricultural Development (NIAD) are determined to continue building on successes achieved in previous years,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Dr Hassan said efforts were underway to ensure that the market remained an important platform for marketing local agricultural products in support of Bahraini workers in the agricultural sector.

Last year’s edition witnessed the participation of 43 farmers, agricultural companies and nurseries and attracted more than 70,000 visitors throughout the market period.

Statistics provided by the organising committee of the market revealed that 83 different types of local produce were on display – ranging from local leafy vegetables and fruit products – with 265 tonnes sold.

“We are confident that the market will continue to achieve success which is a testament to the co-operation between the various relevant authorities in an effort to advance Bahrain’s agricultural sector which is relied upon for food security,” said NIAD secretary general Shaikh Maram bint Isa Al Khalifa.

Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry’s assistant under-secretary for Agriculture Affairs and Bahraini Farmers’ Market organising committee chairman Dr Abdulaziz Abdulkareem highlighted the market’s success as a platform to support Bahraini farmers to market their products.

He added that the market has encouraged a large number of farmers to increase their production in addition to introducing different varieties and colours in agricultural products at competitive prices.

Source: https://www.gdnonline.com/Details/1149501/Local-produce-on-show-at-popular-farmers%E2%80%99-market