*** ----> Wheat to last for less than five months as ministry did not adopt national food security plan | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

Wheat to last for less than five months as ministry did not adopt national food security plan

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune –www.newsofbahrain.com

The 18th National Audit Office Annual Report 2020-2021 found that the Ministry of WorksMunicipalities Affairs and Urban Planning did not adopt a national plan for food security despite the government’s efforts to develop and adopt a comprehensive strategy to keep stocks of commodities since 2015. 

The report also highlights the insufficient capacity of Bahrain Flour Mills Company silos to meet the local market needs for six months. The capacity of the silos does not exceed 51 thousand tonnes, which is enough to meet the market needs for only four and half months.

A silo is a structure for storing bulk materials and are used in agriculture to store grain.

The report also highlights the lack of agricultural lands in Bahrain. NAO report also calls for proper use of available lands for producing economically viable crops, adoption of modern methods in agriculture and animal husbandry.

The report also highlights the data inaccuracy in calculating the quantities stored within the strategic stock project. “This is not good enough to meet the needs of the local market in the event of crises and disasters.”

In its response, the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning, represented by the Agricultural Affairs, confirmed the correction of the legal status of agricultural lands that fall under its supervision. “This includes completing the procedures for registering and allocating them to implement food security initiatives and support services for farmers.”

The ministry also said it sought to determine the number of agricultural lands not allocated in coordination with the Urban Planning and Development Authority to increase plant and animal production. “This resulted in the identification of 13 lands in the various governorates of the Kingdom.”