Agriculture and Fisheries Sectors

Having identified fisheries and agriculture as the key contributors to food security in the Kingdom, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism and the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning unveiled initiatives to develop these two sectors.

• Initiatives aimed at developing the agricultural sector include:
  • Giving landlords of “white lands” special privileges that include reduced government fees for services to attract investment in farming and agriculture projects
  • Proper use of plots registered as endowments
  • Providing financing in the form of loans, subsidies, and exemption from tariffs and taxes for agriculture and livestock
  • Developing agricultural laboratories to support farmers
  • Boosting marketing process for farmers through the permanent farmers’ market in A’ali and the seasonal farmers’ market in Budaiya Botanical Garden

• Initiatives aimed at developing the fisheries sector include:
  • Inviting private sector investment in fish farming
  • Launching a training program in partnership with Tamkeen to train Bahrainis in fish farming
  • Allocating multiple sites for fish farming and supporting sustainable fish farming
  • Setting up of a new fish farm in the Southern Governorate near the National Aquaculture Centre in Ras Hayyan

Alternative Agricultural Practices

Alternative agricultural practices such as hydroponic farming and aquaculture have become increasingly popular in the Kingdom. For example, Al Ghalia Farms produces locally grown vegetables in a hydroponic system. Peninsula Farms is a producer of hydroponic vegetables and goat milk.