The National Initiative for Agricultural Sector Development (NIAD) announced the winners of its third and fourth editions of the King Hamad Award for Agricultural Development.

The total value of the prize is BD40,000. The prize aims at recognising Bahraini produce, supporting the national capabilities of agricultural entrepreneurs and farmers, and encouraging research and studies in the agricultural sector.

Ministers and senior officials from the government and private sector attended the ceremony.

Shaikha Maram bint Isa Al Khalifa, Secretary-General of the NIAD, expressed her gratitude to Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of His Majesty the King and President of the Consultative Council of the NIAD, on HRH’s interest and continuous follow-up on agricultural initiatives, the prominent of which is the King Hamad Award for Agricultural Development that launched in 2015.

She affirmed HRH’s vision to create a positive competitive environment among agricultural entrepreneurs, farmers and researchers in the agricultural field and highlight the best practices to enrich the sector and increase its contributions to national produce, given its importance in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs), economic balance and food security.

Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak, Minister of Municipalities and Agricultural Affairs, honoured the winners of the prize in its fourth edition. In the category of Best Agricultural Project, Peninsula Farms won the prize in the subcategory of Best Agricultural Production Project, while Agricultural Service Supply Agency won the prize in the subcategory of Best Agriculture Support Project. Murtada and Mirza Al Ajaimi won in the category of Best Bahraini Farmer, and Prof. Synan AbuQamar from UAE and Prof. Damià Barceló from Spain won the prize in the category of Best Agricultural Research and Studies.

The winners of the third edition of the prize for the category of Best Agricultural Project were Dar Aqua & Agriculture Company, which won the subcategory prize of Best Agricultural Production Project, and Broccoli Center for Gardening and Landscaping, which won the subcategory prize of Best Agriculture Support Project.

Hussain Jaffar and Mohammed Mohsen won in the category of Best Bahraini Farmer, while Dr. Abdulhadi Abdulwahab and Dr. Abdulrahim bin Mohammad bin Saleh Al Ismaili from Oman won in the category of Best Agricultural Research and Studies.