Curtains go up on Bahrain International Garden Show

Manama : The Bahrain International Garden Show 2016 (BIGS), inaugurated by Wife of HM the King and President of the Supreme Council of Women HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa yesterday, focuses on the dissemination of agricultural concepts.

It also gives emphasis on skills to grow healthy and fruitful trees, comprising land preparation, irrigation, fertilization, pruning, pest control, palm tree care operations, methods of transferring and planting cuttings.  

Speaking on the occasion, Energy Minister Dr. Abdulhussain Mirza said that the main idea behind their participation in the garden show was to show the people how to conserve water as in today’s world water has become a very valuable commodity.

According to him, water is used in large quantities for the irrigation of gardens and greenery. “So we had displayed some equipment here to show the means and methods how to rationalize the use of water.”

Dr. Mirza informed that the Ministry of Energy was participating with a number of stands in the garden show to create awareness on the need for greenery and taking care of the environment.  

Health Minister Faeqa bint Saeed Al Saleh said BIGS is not just a show but an educational event where everyone can learn how to take care of the plants. “I am happy to see fruits, vegetables and greenery everywhere here in the garden show.”

Shaikha Maram Bint Isa Al Khalifa, the Secretary-General of National Initiative for Agricultural Development (NIAD) said that the show brings Bahrain community together. 

Citing the farmers’ market, Shaikha Maram remarked that the garden show had raised awareness and supported the farmers to become more productive. 

She said that the show was a very good opportunity for the business owners who had good services related to the field to participate and announce their businesses to the large number of visitors as last year they had 32,000 visitors.

“As far as the educational aspect of the BIGS is concerned, we want the visitors to benefit from it. Every year an educational theme is chosen and this year’s theme is “Tree Care.” The visitors are going to learn how to prepare the soil, how to trim and prune trees properly and pest control kind of things here,” she elaborated.

According to Shaikha Maram, it is a strong platform for agriculture. “We are already in the 12th edition as it was started in 2004 under the current structure.” 

Chief Executive of the Supreme Council for Environment Dr. Mohamed Mubarak Bin Daina said that it was such a big event that they had been looking forward to it every year. 

He said that it showed their care for the sustainable greenery and protected areas. “Garden show is proof of our commitment with nature. It is a means of educating people about greenery,” commented Dr. Daina.

Chairman Muharraq Municipal Council Shaikh Mohamed bin Abdullah Al Snan said that the garden show was a clear proof of HRH Prince Sabeeka’s love for greenery. “She always says that greenery is life and we have to make Bahrain green,” recalled Al Snan.

He said that Muharraq municipality was participating in BIGS and they were working to make Muharraq green with landscapes.

More than 155 exhibitors are taking part in the show being organised by the NIAD, in collaboration with Tamkeen and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO). 

Companies from various countries, including Italy, the Netherlands, Greece, Singapore, Japan, Canada, Thailand, China, Uganda, Nigeria, Kenya, Russia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Morocco, Sudan and Jordan are taking part.

The exhibitors are having the opportunity to use the event to market their various agricultural products, such as flowers, plants, agricultural tools and machineries, garden furniture and lighting equipment, as well as agricultural services.