1) Support of the Agricultural Sector
a) King Hamad Prize for Agricultural Development
The National Initiative for Agricultural Development organizes the King Hamad Prize for Agricultural Development every two years covering several areas in order to create a positive competitive environment between agricultural entrepreneurs, and farmers and researchers in the agricultural field, to enhance the contribution of this vital sector to economic development.
b) Supporting “Agricultural and Marine Resources Affairs” projects
i) Farmers market in Budaiya
The National Initiative for Agricultural Development collaborates with the Agriculture and Marine Resources Affairs by providing support for maintenance of the market, promotional campaigns and services, and by supporting market activities every agricultural season.
ii) Agricultural Incubators Centre in Hoorat A’ali
This Agricultural Incubators Centre is dedicated to agricultural entrepreneurs and the development of their pioneering ideas to start projects using modern agricultural techniques to grow crops with high economic returns. The centre provides support services including: management, expertise, and access to technical and financial support programs. The Agriculture and Marine Resources Authority and the National Initiative for Agricultural Development (NIAD) started to run the first agricultural program in cooperation with Tamkeen by supporting the training of 9 agricultural entrepreneurs from the beginning of the year 2018.
iii) Farmers market in Hoorat A’ali
The success of the seasonal farmers’ market in Budaiya and the high turnout of visitors has contributed directly to the efforts of the Agriculture and Marine Resources Authority in cooperation with the Bahrain Development Bank and the National Initiative for Agricultural Development (NIAD) to establish a permanent market for local farmers as a quality platform to promote and improve local products. The market includes 48 stalls, including 38 stalls for Bahraini farmers to display high quality Bahraini products.
iv) AgroBH
- AgroBH (www.agro.bh) is Bahrain’s first digital agricultural database, assisting in establishing an effective and technologically advanced agricultural sector that is compliant with the goals of the reform project of His Majesty the King and the Economic Vision 2030. AgroBH is an accessible and cohesive platform that is used to assist existing agricultural organizations and businesses in Bahrain, as well as advise and support potential international investors and companies; providing all stakeholders with accurate and up-to-date agricultural information.
- Through this landmark project, The National Initiative for Agricultural Development aims to unite the efforts of the relevant authorities of the agricultural sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain, to achieve set economic, social and environmental development goals.
v) Agricultural Trade & Investment Guide 2023
The government of the Kingdom of Bahrain has fostered a comprehensive agricultural investment environment, with clear agricultural investment legislations and policies, and has set procedures and requirements for local and foreign investors. In cooperation with Her Excellency Attorney Dalal Jasim Al-Zayed, The National Initiative for Agricultural Development has taken the initiative to collate this information and has issued the Agricultural Trade and Investment Guide. The guide is continuously monitored and kept up-to-date so as to meet the demands of a growing agricultural sector in the Kingdom. The laws and legislations included in the guide clearly outline set procedures and requirements for local and foreign investors, fostering a comprehensive agricultural investment environment.
2) Increasing green spaces
a) Cultivation of Mangroves
Mangroves grow naturally in Tubli Bay, east of Bahrain. Tubli Bay is the most suitable site for the growth of Avicennia in the Kingdom of Bahrain compared to the rest of the coast because of its semi-closed formation, slow water currents and the availability of fresh water provided by irrigation channels. The reduced salinity is favoured by the Avicennia trees.
The Supreme Council for the Environment has implemented an expansion project for the cultivation of Avicennia trees, with funding from the National Initiative for Agricultural Development (NIAD) to restore the environment of Avicennia trees in Tubli Bay and on various coasts of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
b) Establishing agricultural greenhouses
The National Initiative for Agricultural Development (NIAD) has established several high quality greenhouses with the latest technologies in cooperation with a number of government institutions, civil society organizations and educational institutions to spread agricultural skills across various levels:
- Juvenile Care Centre (Ministry of Interior)
- Sharifa Alawadhi Youth and Children Club (Ministry of Labour and Social Development)
- Bahrain Red Crescent Society
- Alia for Early Intervention Centre
- Bahrain Training Institute
- Bahrain Bayan School
- Al Hekma International School
c) Electronic Application (Public gardens)
The University of Bahrain, with the support of NIAD, has launched an electronic application to list all public gardens in Bahrain and encourage visitors to give their feedback and ideas for review, so the gardens can be developed according to people’s needs. The application aims to encourage people to visit and enjoy the gardens in their residential area, and gives the relevant municipalities access to review the number of visitors for each garden and follow up on garden maintenance.
3) Promoting agricultural awareness
NIAD focuses on promoting agricultural awareness, education and the development of talents and skills in the field of agricultural production. It is keen to implement a number of workshops and specialized agricultural courses for the public presented by local and international experts.
NIAD is also keen to provide continuous training programs and workshops for public and private school students, and to contribute to the development of curricula in the field of agricultural sciences. In collaboration with the Bahrain Training Institute (BTI), NIAD has launched an agricultural diploma to ensure the availability of qualified graduates entering the labour market, in order to rely on them to develop and implement agricultural strategies and solutions in the future.