Other projects
The National Initiative for Agricultural Development actively supports the efforts of the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture and national strategies. Through various collaborative projects, NIAD drives progress in sustainable agriculture, enhancing local product competitiveness, expanding green spaces, fostering the agro-industrial sector, and building specialized national agricultural expertise through education and training.
Promoting the Adoption of Modern Technology in Agriculture And Palm Tree Production
The National Initiative for Agricultural Development collaborated with the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, the National Space Science Agency, the Arabian Gulf University, and Smart Farm Sensing for early detection of red palm weevil infestation using remote sensing technology and conducted deficit irrigation experiments to determine the appropriate irrigation quantity for palm trees.
The National Initiative for Agricultural Development has constructed several high-quality greenhouses using cutting-edge technologies in collaboration with various government entities, civil society organizations, and educational institutions to spread agricultural knowledge and skills across sectors.
Establishing Marketing Channels
The National Initiative for Agricultural Development in partnership with the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture provides support with market, promotional activities, and related services for each growing season.
The success and popularity of the seasonal farmers’ market in Budaiya, coupled with strong visitor attendance, has prompted the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, in partnership with the Bahrain Development Bank and the National Initiative for Agricultural Development, to create a permanent market dedicated to showcasing and supporting local products. The market features 48 vendor stalls, including 38 spaces for Bahraini farmers to sell their high-quality local produce.
The National Initiative for Agricultural Development works closely with food retailers and distributors throughout Bahrain to support local farmers by promoting their products and creating new avenues for sales.
Encouraging Investment in Advanced Agriculture
The National Initiative for Agricultural Development partnered with the Agricultural Incubator Center in Hoorat A’ali to offer a training program for entrepreneurs. The program, supported by the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture and Tamkeen, provided entrepreneurs with valuable skills and technical guidance to help them launch agricultural businesses in Bahrain.
Cultivating high-nutritional-Value crops
The National Initiative for Agricultural Development collaborated with the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture and the Arabian Gulf University to conduct a quinoa cultivation experiment in Hoorat A’ali. This initiative aimed to explore the feasibility of growing high-nutritional-value quinoa crops in Bahrain and assess their potential contribution to sustainable agriculture and food security.
Increasing green Areas
The National Initiative for Agricultural Development supports the expansion project for cultivating Mangrove trees. This project is being carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture and the Supreme Council for Environment. The aim is to significantly increase the production quantity of Mangrove trees and successfully achieve the goals of the national afforestation plan.
The University of Bahrain, with support from the National Initiative for Agricultural Development, developed a specialized electronic application to showcase public parks across Bahrain. This app enables visitors to conveniently rate their experiences and provide valuable feedback, which will be utilized to enhance and improve the parks within the available resources. The initiative aims to encourage citizens to explore the beautiful gardens in their neighbourhoods and enjoy their surroundings. The municipality of each governorate was given access to visitor data for each park to better monitor maintenance and gardening activities. The project was later transferred to the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, who further developed and now fully manages the website.
Supporting Agricultural Workforce
The National Initiative for Agricultural Development, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development, reactivated the Bahrain Agricultural Cooperative Society and provided technical and logistical support to its members. This effort ensures the Bahrain Agricultural Cooperative Society’s continued role in supporting the agricultural sector and serving farmers effectively.
Studies and Research
To effectively monitor the impact of national afforestation efforts, the National Initiative for Agricultural Development partnered with the Arabian Gulf University to conduct a study assessing the carbon sequestration capacity of each tree species included in the national afforestation plan. The study also aimed to identify the most effective tree species for CO2 absorption, providing recommendations for maximizing the campaign’s environmental benefits.