HM King Honours Agriculture
TDT | Manama
Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com
Top contributors to agricultural innovation were recognised during the fifth edition of the King Hamad Award for Agricultural Development, organised by the National Initiative for Agricultural Development.
Held in the presence of royal family members, senior officials, and agricultural experts from Bahrain and abroad, the event celebrated achievements across production, sustainability, research, and support services.
Among the attendees was H.E. Shaikha Maram bint Isa Al Khalifa, Secretary General of the National Initiative for Agricultural Development, who highlighted the award’s growing role in fostering innovation and environmental sustainability.
Firms and farmers awarded
H.E. Eng. Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak, Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, presented the awards.
Al-Ameen Gardens Company received the ‘Best Agricultural Production Project’ honour for its advanced crop production methods supporting food security.
Ghosn Al Bahrain Contracting Company won the ‘Best Supporting Project for Agricultural Production’ award for its water-saving smart irrigation systems.
Two individuals, Mirza Hassan and Ali Ashour, were jointly named ‘Best Bahraini Farmer’, recognised for adopting modern techniques and maintaining high productivity.
In the research category, Dr. Majid Al-Sayed Mohammed and Dr. Mohammed Naeem Sattar of King Faisal University in Saudi Arabia were honoured for their work on sustainable technologies and innovative environmental solutions.
Tribute and legacy
Veteran farmer Abdullnabi Taher was specially recognised for his consistent participation since the award’s launch and the steady growth of his farm, earning him praise as a model of perseverance.
Members of the award’s judging committee were also acknowledged for their role in ensuring rigorous evaluation and encouraging continuous improvement in the sector.
Following the ceremony, a scientific forum was held where winning researchers presented their studies to an audience of experts, academics, and practitioners. The session promoted knowledge-sharing and collaboration to strengthen sustainability in agriculture.
The event concluded with a call to further advance the Kingdom’s agricultural capacity through innovation and longterm vision.
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Farming Tech Now Required
The sixth edition of the King Hamad Award for Agricultural Development will introduce a major shift in eligibility criteria, with the use of agricultural technology now made mandatory for all participants.
H.E. Shaikha Maram bint Isa Al Khalifa, Secretary General of the National Initiative for Agricultural Development, announced the changes as part of broader efforts to modernise the Kingdom’s agricultural sector and ensure that the award remains aligned with global best practices.
Updated criteria
In previous editions, technology use gave participants an edge through bonus points.
Starting this cycle, however, integration of agri-tech solutions is no longer optional.
The move reflects a growing consensus that sustainability and productivity must be driven by innovation and smart farming tools.
H.E. Shaikha Maram confirmed that evaluation criteria are being revised, and new judging panels are being set up to enhance standards and review past cycles.
These updates aim to make the award more rigorous and forward-focused.
Support and inclusion
H.E. Shaikha Maram reaffirmed the initiative’s commitment to supporting all individuals and organisations working toward agricultural advancement.
While transformation takes time, she encouraged widespread participation, noting that the award welcomes contributions from across the spectrum of the agricultural ecosystem.
SMEs recognised
H.E. Shaikha Maram also highlighted the increasing role of small and medium-sized agricultural companies in the Kingdom.
These businesses, which now receive recognition under separate categories for production and agricultural services, are becoming vital to ensuring the sector’s long-term sustainability.
The changes are expected to raise the bar for excellence and broaden the award’s impact on the Kingdom’s food security and innovation landscape.
Support boosts sustainable farming gains
Bahraini farmer Ali Ashoor, winner of the King Hamad Award for Agricultural Development in the ‘Best Bahraini Farmer’ category, says the recognition has inspired a new wave of innovation and competitiveness among local farmers, including a 40 percent increase in his own farm’s production over the past year.
Calling the award “a badge of pride,” Ashoor said the honour went beyond motivation, strengthening his resolve to keep improving farming practices and yield.
Ashoor’s farm currently produces around 50 varieties of vegetables, including 10 types of tomatoes, three cucumber varieties, and five to six types of peppers.
The selection, he said, is tailored to meet local market demand, particularly during the Farmers’ Market season.
He explained that the farm intentionally focuses on cultivating crops not commonly available in Bahrain.
“We import seeds and conduct research to adapt them for local farming and production,” he said.
Ashoor praised the King Hamad Award for sparking healthy competition among farmers and elevating the overall standard of agricultural practice in the Kingdom.
“Farmers today are far more driven than before,” he said. “We aim to keep increasing production every year.”
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