Under the esteemed patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka Bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of His Majesty the King, the National Initiative for Agricultural Development (NIAD) was launched in 2010. This initiative aims to enhance Bahrain’s agricultural sector by coordinating efforts across the public and private sectors, educational institutions, NGOs and the public. Its objective is to strengthen the sector’s economic, social, and environmental contributions through a cohesive approach prioritising strategic planning, continuous assessment, and rigorous oversight. NIAD also encourages the adoption of modern agricultural technologies to increase production efficiency, while conserving natural resources. Another key focus is on the training of specialized personnel in agricultural sciences to support the sector’s sustainable growth.
For many years, Bahrain has pursued sustainable social, economic, and environmental goals, recognizing these pillars as essential to long-term stability. Under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain continues an ambitious development path focused on ensuring food security, achieving self-sufficiency, and building resilience against global challenges. Efforts have centred on diversifying food sources, promoting sustainable agricultural methods, and forging partnerships with allied nations and international organizations to strengthen the agricultural and marine sectors. This aligns with the Kingdom’s Economic Vision 2030, which aims to create a prosperous, diversified economy that protects the environment and enhances citizens’ quality of life, supporting sustainable development and a promising future for generations to come.Bahrain’s commitment to agricultural development as a cornerstone of the national economy is underscored by its constitutional provisions. Article 9g of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bahrain emphasizes the importance of maximizing arable land use and supporting small-scale farmers, acknowledging their vital role in food security and sustaining local production. Additionally, Article 11 declares natural resources as national assets, with a responsibility to preserve and utilize them in a way that balances national security requirements with economic growth.
To have an effective agricultural sector that contributes to social, environmental and economic development in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Achieving Development
- Contribute to the decrease of unemployment
- Fixed-income for working families in the agricultural sector
- Increase green spaces
- Conserve water and natural recourses.
Optimal utilization of the agricultural land
- Work towards achieving food security.
- Optimal utilization of the agricultural land.
- Increase the contribution of the agriculture sector to the GDP.
The National Initiative for Agricultural Development’s mission is to coordinate and unify efforts across the agricultural sector to achieve comprehensive social, environmental, and economic development goals. NIAD pursues this by fostering an effective working environment that aligns with the reform vision of His Majesty the King and with the Kingdom’s Economic Vision 2030. Our focus spans all aspects of agriculture, with a special emphasis on supporting small and micro-enterprises within the Kingdom of Bahrain. Our efforts are driven by core values that emphasize the well-being and stability of Bahraini citizens, the protection of the environment, the responsible management of natural resources, and the strengthening of community involvement.
We are also committed to raising awareness about modern agricultural technologies and overcoming challenges that hinder sector growth. This commitment involves promoting innovative techniques alongside training and empowerment programs for citizens working in agriculture. Our goal is to develop the nation’s human resources and create job opportunities in partnership with the government and key stakeholders. We strive to equip our team to effectively engage with target groups, offering services such as consultations and projects that enhance their skills and capabilities.
As a non-profit organization, the National Initiative for Agricultural Development is dedicated to advocating for the rights of small-scale farmers, empowering them, and supporting Bahrain’s strategic goals for agricultural sustainability. NIAD also works on unifying efforts to support small and micro-enterprises and expanding green spaces across the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The Advisory Council is chaired by Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka Bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of His Majesty the King. The council comprises members from diverse sectors, including representatives from the public and private sectors, educational institutions, and civil societies.
Goals/ Objectives
- Expand and increase green spaces across the Kingdom of Bahrain.
- Encourage investment in agriculture from both the public and private sectors.
- Launch initiatives, awards, and incentives to drive growth in the agricultural sector.
- Design and implement awareness programmes to promote sustainable agricultural practices.
- Support the Kingdom’s strategies to sustain the development and growth of agriculture in Bahrain.
- Partner with various sectors to organise training courses on developing agricultural human resources.
- Collaborate with public and private sectors to enhance and support agricultural projects and initiatives.
- Introduce and adopt advanced agricultural technologies, promoting scientific studies and research in this field.
- Propose improvements to the legislative framework and agricultural regulations to adapt to sectoral challenges and changes.
- Evaluate and analyse agricultural environmental indicators in Bahrain to foster a sector that contributes to social, environmental, and economic progress.
- Unifying Efforts
NIAD identifies and collaborates with key entities in the agricultural sector, as well as organisations specialising in natural resources, environmental conservation, training, empowerment, and employment. By aligning with these entities, NIAD strengthens existing agricultural projects and enables the development of new ones, driving comprehensive sectoral growth.
- Education, Training, and Empowerment
Aiming to advance the agricultural sector in the Kingdom, NIAD develops academic programs and specialized training courses grounded in the latest agricultural technologies, ensuring individuals entering the field meet the highest international standards. Working alongside relevant authorities, the initiative promotes education and skill-building in agricultural production, supports curriculum development, and cultivates a qualified workforce to meet strategic future needs. Additionally, the initiative partners with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) on an agricultural entrepreneurship project, creating tailored programs that address the specific needs of Bahrain’s agricultural sector.
- Agricultural Entrepreneurship
NIAD is committed to encouraging citizens, especially the unemployed and their families, to engage in agricultural work and adopt modern technologies. By supporting the development of small, sustainable agricultural projects, NIAD aims to foster economic self-sufficiency. It also promotes the formation of individual or cooperative agricultural enterprises focused on producing essential agricultural products through advanced techniques.
- Exhibitions and Markets
NIAD organizes the annual Bahrain International Garden Show, a premier exhibition showcasing all aspects of gardening and agriculture. This event provides an invaluable space for knowledge exchange and highlights the latest innovations in the field, while also fostering partnerships between local and international businesses.
For more information on the Bahrain International Garden Show, visit: www.bigs.com.bh.
NIAD also aims to revive traditional agricultural markets by supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in marketing their goods and by engaging Bahraini youth in the promotion of local products.
- Expanding Green Spaces
NIAD collaborates with relevant authorities to expand Bahrain’s green spaces through afforestation projects, new park developments, public park maintenance, and the preservation of plant resources and natural reserves.
- Promotion
To raise awareness and support growth within the sector, NIAD promotes agricultural projects and events by organizing exhibitions, conferences, and workshops in collaboration with related entities.
NIAD also seeks to increase agricultural awareness among citizens through the following efforts:
- Launching awards in various fields to encourage innovation and advancement in agriculture.
- Showcasing successful agricultural projects and success stories to inspire and educate the public.
- Collaborating with media outlets to highlight the importance of agriculture and opportunities for agricultural investment.
- Publishing brochures, periodicals, books, magazines, and studies dedicated to agricultural topics.
- Developing a comprehensive online platform to serve as a trusted resource for researchers and investors in the agricultural sector.