Expert says Bahrain's agricultural potential 'untapped'

Bahrain's potential to use its land for growing crops remains heavily untapped, according to an international expert.

By embracing modern technologies, the country can expand its croplands massively within a decade, said Nasa US Geological Survey scientist Dr Prasad Thenkabail.

Currently only 7.8 percent of Bahrain’s geographical area is under cropland, but this could be raised to 20pc, ensuring the country’s food security in case of an emergency, he observed.

Climate

The visiting expert was speaking to the GDN on the sidelines of a workshop on climate change and soil salinity, at the Arabian Gulf University (AGU), in Salmaniya.

“Bahrain has about 7.8pc of its geographic area under cropland and should ideally have around 20pc, which is feasible, with modern technologies, sufficient investment and the right education in the field.

“Twenty per cent of cropland in Bahrain will fill a good portion of the country’s food basket and the rest of it can be filled by selling or trading.

“Technologies have grown parabolic – what would have taken 20 years is done in two years.

“Given the available readymade technologies globally and with political will and right scientific education to the younger generation, I am optimistic that Bahrain can achieve this within a decade.

“Water, soil and agriculture are not issues limited to farmers. We need educated farmers, who, with a combination of technology like green houses, desalination and cheaper energy, can achieve this.

“We can indeed have a new Bahrain in terms of food production in the near future, if these steps are pursued.”

In February, the GDN reported that the Arab region was facing a massive food deficit, spending $35 billion annually on importing produce due to a lack of home-grown crops and fertile land for grazing livestock.

Arab leaders who regard this as a potential security threat are investing $92bn to develop their own sources, according to Arab Organisation for Agricultural Development director general Professor Ibrahim Ahmed El Dukheri.

“All the GCC countries have less than 5pc of geographical areas as cropland, which is very less,” he said.

“In Saudi Arabia, it is around 1.4pc and the figures are very less compared to regional countries like Iraq which is around 28pc and Iran around 20pc.

“India has 60pc, so has France, Italy and the UK, which is how they feed their population.

“Agriculture is very important to feed population as well as in food export.

“There have been a lot of changes (in GCC) from the 80s – there is a great expansion of croplands, but still we are talking about less than 5pc, which is very less.

“The region has no rain water and the water available cannot be replenished.

“Hence, the agriculture expansion (whatever was happening) is also coming to a standstill.

“Water challenge exists in the GCC with almost little rain fall, with high water transpiration and high water limitation.

“Yet, we have to sustain certain amount of food grown nationally so that if there is a security crisis or others, you are not dependent on other countries totally.

“Money may not be helpful in such a situation and in this context, and every country should be somewhat self-reliant or should be in such a network.

“We have new technologies like greenhouses and hydroponics and solar, wind and green energies are taking over.

“So if the energy availability is made easy, desalination might be a bigger solution, as it can be a cheaper way to get water.”

GCC’s vastly available land asset is an advantage, noted Dr Thenkabail.

Advantage

“These countries have tremendous amount of land which is an advantage.

“Going forward, worldwide we have to grow more food with less land and less water and in the Middle East you have land, which is good news and solar and green energy can be availed.

“It is the question of water, which could be attained by embracing the available advanced technology and Israel is an example.

“Recycling of water and used water for agriculture is another great option as well.”

raji@gdn.com.bh