Strengthen joint Arab action for food security: Bahrain Minister tells GCC states

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Works Minister yesterday stressed the importance of developing sustainable agricultural policies that enhance food security in the Gulf Cooperation Council members states.

“Developing cooperation between GCC nations in agricultural, animal and fisheries sectors are crucial for food security,” Essam Khalaf, the Minister of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning, said. He also urged the need for strengthening joint Gulf action for the post-Coronavirus pandemic.

The minister was chairing the 31st Agricultural Cooperation committee of the ministers of the GCC member states. The GCC Agricultural Cooperation Committee, the minister said, is completing the steps towards achieving sustainable agricultural policies and developing cooperation in agriculture, animal husbandry, and fisheries among GCC nations.

The meeting discussed various issues facing the agricultural sectors, policies and mechanisms for achieving food security in partnership with the private sector, a unified quarantine law, establishing a genetic asset bank and usage of fertilisers.

The minister told the meeting that Bahrain’s project to develop sustainable systems for date palms in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries had received UAE’s Khalifa International Award for Date Palms.

On the livestock sector, the meeting approved an updated guide for veterinary facilities in the private sector, which will serve as a guideline for the next two years.