Contract for aquaponic vegetable and fish farming project signed

Manama, Feb. 25 (BNA): The Agriculture and Marine Resources Undersecretary at the Ministry of Works, Municipality Affairs and Urban Planning Shaikh Khalifa bin Isa Al Khalifa signed today a contract to set up and carry out an aquaponic vegetable and fish farming project. The deal, which is worth $ 20 million, was concluded with one of the major investment companies in Bahrain. The project, deemed the first of its kind in terms of production, covers an area of around 150,000 sqm and is supported by American expertise in the aquaponic system in order to overcome environmental challenges and produce purely organic vegetables free of chemicals. Shaikh Khalifa bin Isa said the project is a practical translation of the vision of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of His Majesty the King and President of the Consultative Council of the National Initiative for Agricultural Development (NIAD). He added that the project is part of the main programmes of NIAD to ensure sustainable agricultural development. He lauded the directives of HRH Princess Sabeeka in the opening of Bahrain International Garden Show (BIGS) to continue the national efforts to develop the agricultural sector and diversify investments in it. He also congratulated HRH Princess Sabeeka on continuous success of BIGS which, he said, is the dividend of her close follow-up.