BIGS 2019 attracts 20,000 visitors in two days

Manama, Feb. 22 (BNA): Around 20,000 people have visited Bahrain International Garden Show (BIGS) 2019 in its first two days. The annual show is held under the auspices of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and with the support of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of HM the King and President of the Consultative Council for the National Initiative for Agricultural Development. BIGS 2019 focuses on agriculture as an aspirational career choice and all participants from the public and private sectors and from civil society have been highlighting agricultural sciences and their significance. The show has attracted a large number of local and foreign exhibitors, as well as thousands of visitors interested in agricultural affairs, investors and researchers in this vital sector. A high number of school, institute and university students have also visited the show to gain insights into the novelties in the agricultural specialties. The visitors, both citizens and residents, have expressed their admiration for the levels of organization, the exhibitors' pavilions and the diversity of the events featured in the show. The Science Zone The National Initiative for Agricultural Development reflected the theme of the exhibition by presenting data and statistics on the agricultural reality in Bahrain. It also presented the results of the questionnaire it had conducted to explore the views of governmental and private institutions, educational institutions and civil society institutions about the available agricultural jobs and functional needs. The conclusions were encouraging to attract young Bahrainis to this important sector. The initiative also screened an awareness video highlighting the importance of this profession, considered one of the oldest professions practiced by humans, and clarifying its economic, food and aesthetic importance in order to encourage young people to join agricultural sciences as promising specialties for the profession in the future. In the same pavilion, two exhibition spaces were allocated to host the Faculty of Food and Agriculture at the United Arab Emirates University where students enrolled in various agricultural disciplines shared their experience and interest with the visitors. The College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman participated presented an overview of the university and the faculty and the academic and research activities carried out by specialists in the field of agriculture and food. The university’s future vision and its role in developing the agricultural sector in Oman through different agricultural specialties were also highlighted. The two universities have allocated scholarships to Bahrainis for bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in the faculties of agriculture. The Science Pavilion has received a great deal of interest, especially from young men and women. Khalasi Garden Khalasi Garden has been characterized by a number of activities aimed at promoting agricultural awareness and education related to agricultural professions in order to spread the professional culture among children and instill positive trends towards agriculture as a career option. There were also agricultural workshops, educational and recreational activities such as making garden scarecrow and mini-protected houses and drawing three-dimensional roses and fruits. It also displayed methods of extracting the natural colors of fruits and vegetables for use in works of art and other workshops. The workshops are offered to children in the 5 to 14 years age group from 10 am until 8 pm. Farmers’ zone Two areas were allocated to the winners of the King Hamad Agricultural Development Award Sadiq Mirza and Mirza Hassan. Other areas were also allocated to 12 Bahraini farmers. The Bahraini farmers' market attracted a large number of visitors who were briefed on their successful experiences in new planting fresh and varied vegetables, fruits, plants and trees, as well as the well-known varieties that are famous in Bahrain. The farmers expressed their happiness in participating in BIGS2019, saying they were able to highlight their agricultural experiences and market their products, which had a great impact on preserving the identity of the Bahraini farmers who inherited the profession from fathers and grandfathers. King Hamad Prize for Agricultural Development zone An area has been allocated for the King Hamad Prize for Agricultural Development in which the pictures and names of the second session winners in the various farming and research categories were displayed. The area is also used to promote the third session of the prize with its farming category submissions open until the end of March and the research category submission until September. The prize aims to create a positive competitive environment between agricultural entrepreneurs and farmers as well as researchers in the agricultural field to improve this sector, increase agricultural output and contribute to GDP. Flower Arrangement Workshops This year's show is marked by the participation of a number of flower arrangement experts from around the world, including Kuwait, the United Kingdom and Russia, who conducted workshops for individuals and owners of flower shops from Bahrain and abroad. Famous designer and founder of Lalabella Nahla Al Mahmood announced the launch of flower arrangement programmes and workshops at the Roses School, the first of its type in the Kingdom. A Japanese flower arrangement was also presented in coordination with the Japanese embassy in Bahrain. Bilateral meetings Several high-level bilateral meetings have been held between government institutions, local companies, exporters, importers, businessmen and exhibitors participating in the Bahrain International Garden Show to create opportunities for cooperation and trade exchange between countries and to introduce new products and services in the local market.