Bahrain plans to make Almond festival an annual affair

TDT | Manama              

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Efforts are underway to transform the highly successful Almond Festival into an annual tradition for Bahrain. According to Dr. Khaled Ahmed Hassan, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources, the ministry is currently developing an integrated plan to promote locally produced fruits in the future.

During the concluding activities of the first Almond Festival, which entered its second and last week yesterday, officials said the event witnessed a remarkable turnout, with residents and GCC nationals coming together to celebrate the event alongside farmers.

Dr. Khaled expressed the ministry's commitment to adding the festival to the list of annual events in Bahrain, recognising its significance as a valuable addition to the achievements of the farmers' market over the years.

The festival featured the participation of 18 farms, 3 projects, productive families, and 11 restaurants specialising in almond-based products. Mohammed Al-Araibi, the Assistant Undersecretary for Agriculture, highlighted the potential of Bahrain's citizens in the field of manufacturing industries for Bahraini products.

He said the festival revealed how citizens can transform these fruits into exportable products, extending their shelf life beyond the summer season. Al-Araibi further emphasised that the ministry has received numerous requests to participate in future editions of the festival.

As a result, they are committed to developing an integrated plan for the upcoming seasons to further support the agricultural sector in Bahrain and its workforce. The inaugural almond festival opened last week at the Bahraini Farmers’ Market site in the Budaiya Botanical Garden, marking the beginning of what promises to be a growing and memorable annual event in Bahrain.