The National Initiative for Agricultural Development (NIAD) has announced the names of the winners of the third edition of the King Hamad Prize for Agricultural Development that featured three categories – Best Agricultural Project, Best Bahraini Farmer, and Best Agricultural Research and Studies – and prizes worth BD40,000.
The Initiative was launched by Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of HM the King and President of the Consultative Council of the National Initiative for Agricultural Development in March 2010. The Initiative focuses mainly on creating a positive competitive environment among owners of agricultural projects, farmers as well as agricultural researchers to improve and promote this important sector. Agriculture is one of the three most important sectors that make up any global economy (agriculture, industry and services) and it is the principal sector to achieve sustainable development and economic balance.
This year’s winners were honored by Her Excellency Shaikha Maram bint Isa Al Khalifa, the Secretary General of the National Initiative for Agricultural Development, at the NIAD premises. Dar Aqua Farming Company won the award in the Best Agricultural Production Project category for its modern and environmentally friendly production and operation methods as well as its reliance on Bahraini nationals in managing and operating the project.
The Broccoli Center Gardening & Landscaping won in the Best Agriculture Support Project category in recognition of its outstanding enhancement of local production by using modern and simple techniques in building greenhouses that do not need electrical energy in the agricultural production process.
Mr. Husain Jaafar and Mr. Mohamed Mohsen won in the Best Bahraini Farmer category for their cumulative knowledge and professionalism in date palm service, production quality and innovation in agricultural practices.
Dr. Abdelhadi Abdulwahab won in the category of Best Agricultural Research and Studies for his research on Actual Water Use of Young Date Palm Trees as Affected by Aminolevulinic Acid Application and Different Irrigation Water Salinity.. The research presents useful applications in the development of agricultural processes for date palm trees.
Dr. Abdulrahim bin Mohammed bin Saleh Al Ismaili from the Sultanate of Oman won an award for his research on the extended use of greywater for irrigation home gardens in an arid environment. The research presents valuable applications for the proper utilization of water resources and the sustainability of agriculture.
Her Excellency Shaikha Maram congratulated the winners and praised their remarkable achievements in the field of scientific research and the great efforts exerted by the owners of agricultural companies and by Bahraini farmers in developing and improving the agricultural sector and its sustainability. She also commended the members of the judging committee that comprised competent experts in award arbitration, and wished all applicants greater luck in the next editions.
The King Hamad Prize for Agricultural Development is based on a strategic vision to achieve tangible goals that contribute to agricultural development and sustainability and feature several aspects.
They include increasing agricultural production, contributing to the GDP, achieving relative food security while taking into account food safety, and using modern agricultural technologies. They also include encouraging investments in agriculture as a vital sector, entrepreneurship, agricultural investment in small and medium enterprises, and scientific research in agriculture that contribute to the development and sustainability of the sector and create a competitive environment capable of attracting qualified Bahrainis.