Bahrain is developing new food security projects

Bahrain’s top officials announced the development of new food security projects.

According to Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Bahrain imports 90% of its food supplies, and so, food self-sufficiency remains a priority area on the government agenda. As it happened with other Gulf countries, it was the COVID-19 pandemic that brought considerable attention to their food import dependency. The government of Bahrain set up a committee made up of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO). 

Bahrain has taken a multilateral approach to attain food security in the country. Young people are being encouraged to pursue careers in agriculture and the fishing industry. Money is allocated to secure strategic stockpiles and fund innovative projects. For instance, the hydroponics and aquaculture projects were allocated twenty locations around the country.

The Deputy Premier also noted that fish, poultry and egg farms must obtain ‘sustainable licences’, otherwise their activities may be banned.

“I look forward to the Cabinet approval of a strategy in the second half of the year that encourages a decrease in food wastage, better use of agricultural technology and increase in food security.”

Source: https://www.zawya.com/mena/en/economy/story/Blueprint_for_food_security_projects_in_Bahrain-SNG_218511558/