Big boost for local products

TDT | Manama

The work ministry yesterday announced completing the expansion works of the vegetable market in the central market of Manama. “A total of 1,000 square meters of the area and 40 booths are set apart for Bahraini farmers to market their products,” Essam Khalaf, the Minister of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning, said.

He added: “This will help farmers gain better visibility to market home-grown products.” Farmers will start making use of the new floor, starting next month. Farmers’ market The newly expanded space, the minister said, almost works like the permanent farmers market which comes to life at dawn and continues until 10 am.

“The project will also allow farmers to sell their products to wholesale buyers,” Khalaf said. Works Ministry designed the project based on a request filed by farmers to the capital municipality to allocate more areas for marketing their products.

On this note, the minister thanked HRH Princess Sabeeka Bint Ibrahim Al-Khalifa, the Wife of His Majesty the King and President of the National Initiative for Agricultural Development, for her continuous support in the completing the project. Looking ahead, the minister said they are also working on several other projects to further support Bahraini farmers in the Central Market.

“The ministry is keen to play a role in enhancing food security, and increase the availability of local products throughout the year in the market,” he added. Khalaf said the ministry is working with agriculture affairs and NIAD to provide more support to local farmers.