The Kingdom of Bahrain, represented by Agriculture & Marine Wealth Affairs at the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs & Urban Planning, signed four joint agreements with the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The agreements are in line with a strategic partnership between the Kingdom of Bahrain and UN agencies covering the years 2018 to 2022.In attendance were Minister of Works, Municipalities Affairs & Urban Planning Engineer Essam Bin Abdullah Khalaf, Agriculture & Marine Wealth Undersecretary at the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs & Urban Planning, Dr. Nabeel Mohammed Abu Al-Fateh, UN Resident Coordinator and United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Resident Representative in the Kingdom of Bahrain, Amin Al Sharkawi.

The agreements were signed at the Agriculture & Marine Wealth headquarters in Budaiya. HE the Minister said: “The first agreement is for the development of a food resource diversification strategy to support food security in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and focuses on technical assistance in creating food diversity; methods of enforcing a strategic food storage program as part of the food security strategy; identifying the best local agricultural production practices to overcome climate and water conditions; and emergency procedures in case of food shortage. FAO will prepare a detailed study about the project. He added: “The second agreement aims to improve IT systems, databases, and agricultural statistics in the Kingdom; highlight the contributions of local production in supporting food security; develop capabilities in preparing, analyzing and evaluating agricultural information; evaluate and analyze current statistical data, and identify indicators for the agricultural sector and food security.

As per this agreement, FAO will be responsible for providing services for a period of 24 months. HE the Minister continued: “The third agreement aims to support the sustainable development of the aquaculture sector. The project’s goal is to put in place a national strategy for sustainable aquaculture development in Bahrain and develop capabilities for its implementation.” He also said: “It will focus on increasing agricultural and fishing production, helping to enhance sustainable management, natural agricultural development, and marine resources. With the decline in fish stocks over recent years, investment in aquaculture in Bahrain will contribute to food security and self-sufficiency, in addition to increasing export opportunities. This project will assess current aquaculture practices, economic needs and social risks, and implement a strategic action plan to support the commercial aquaculture sector. He added: “The fourth agreement relates to controlling and eradicating animal diseases that may affect human beings and improving animal breeding. This is in line with Bahrain Vision 2030, which seeks to conserve animal wealth and develop veterinary services and vaccination quarantines for cows and sheep. Through this project, FAO, in cooperation with the Animal Wealth Directorate, will begin immunization campaigns for cows and sheep and send out field laboratories, build the capacity of Bahraini staff, raise awareness among the public, and eradicate tuberculosis in cows. ”Dr. Abu Al-Fateh said: “This agreement between the Agriculture & Marine Wealth Directorate and FAO aims to achieve food sustainability through an exchange of experience aimed at building national capabilities, and identifying the best relevant patterns and international practices.

This type of project serves to benefit the Kingdom and its citizens through the achievement of its 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, which are a national priority. He explained that the partnership with FAO aims to reach a unified vision for the future of the agricultural, animal, and fish sectors, and develop their productivity and the quality of their breeds through FAO’s experience in coordination with plans and government programs.