It's fresh from the farm

AT Bahrain's very first Farmer's Market, expatriates and villagers, tourists and Shaikhas all swapped their weekend shopping in air-conditioned malls for the chance of savouring fresh local produce straight from the farm.

The fun-filled family day, managed and co-ordinated by Muneera Obaidli with help from her family and friends, was organised to support the island's farmers and other small entrepreneurs who make a livelihood from selling home-grown goods.

The five farms which participated at this debut venture were those of Shaikh Mohammed, Sheikh Altaf, Sheikh Khalid, Yateem farm, Abu Younis's farm and a private Karbabad farm.

Organising the event came with its set of challenges. Bahrain's farmers are not used to the concept and several refused to get involved.

At 10am, when the market opened, we found Muneera rushing to some farms to urge them to open their stalls.

Most farmers on the island operate through middle men and sell their produce at various supermarkets or at the central market.

They face stiff competition from importers particularly from Saudi Arabia.

Muneera, who visited several farms in the interiors of Bahrain, said: 'Many of our farmers don't even have the facility to transport goods. Some do not even have an extra helping hand to man the stalls and I met several who were unwilling to leave their land and take part in the Farmer's Market.

'Bahrain's economy is moving in such a way that it's getting less lucrative to work on the land. Bigger farms are buying out the smaller ones. Many employ expatriate labour while they themselves pursue other occupations - thus the farmer's involvement with the land is also getting smaller. Others face difficulties such as an inability to sell directly in the market.

'I tried my level best to try and persuade as many as possible to join the initiative. However, some could not understand the value of getting such visibility.'

Some visitors disapproved of the BD5 entry fee per family. Muneera said: 'The money raised went totally in organising of the event. We had to rent everything from tables and chairs and portable toilets that cost BD100 each. Umbrellas were not available to rent and had to be brought. Many of the stalls were also offered free to encourage more entrepreneurs to participate.'

However, those farmers who turned up were very positive about the experience and have promised to bring a larger variety of produce the next time around.

Delighted farmer Muhammed Aqeel, 22, from Abu Younis's farm in Saar, said that he would bring a larger variety when future Farmer's Markets are staged.

He had on sale quail eggs, cherry tomatoes, celery, aubergines, cucumbers, beetroot, cabbage, onion, garlic, basil, parsley and zatar.

Mustafa Mahmood from the Karbabad farm had an assortment of green leafy vegetables on sale.

Another stall had Rabab from Sanad selling home-made pickles and spices used for preparing Biryani, fish and meat. She said: 'I have learned these techniques from my mother and sell my products from home. I have dried lemon here that is well cleaned and dried.'

Mother and daughter duo, Umm Hassan, 70, and Umm Aysha, 44, from Muharraq sold freshly-made Khamfarrush and kebabs. Umm Aysha said: 'We are part of the Productive Families' Project and we also go to marriages and parties to make different sweetmeat. People like eating freshly-made snacks.'

Shoppers James and Lily Ibbetson, from Karbabad, enjoyed the day buying vegetables at the Farmer's Market. James, from London, who works with Batelco, said: 'We are very used to these markets back home. It's great to buy very fresh produce. The entrance is a little expensive but the prices of the vegetables seemed reasonable. As long as the money is going straight to the farmers it is fine.'

Twins Sara and Jameela Hassan Mohammed, 40, were selling handicrafts on their stall, a craft they learned from their mother.

The sisters who generally retail at Capital Mall make gifts and accessories from textiles, foam and wool.

Shaikha Lamya bint Mohammed Al Khalifa co-ordinated the Shajarataiba stall.

The group run by young women is dedicated to charity work. Lamya said: 'I am Muneera's friend and I think this is a terrific idea. Food is everyone's favourite and so we have here an assortment of traditional sweets, sea food dishes and bakery items made in the different Khalifa houses.'

Media personality Mahmood Al Yousif said on his blog: 'Despite the heat, the atmosphere at the market was quite nice - children were running about, a few stalls had buyers around them getting the best and freshest produce at very reasonable prices.

'Perhaps the organisers could consider doing this event in an air-conditioned hall. Places like the Marina Club or Awali Club or the like would be ideal locations in my opinion - failing that, a weekly Farmer's Market happening in the cooler months, say between November and March, which the organisers are seriously considering anyway, would be much appreciated by all.'

Enterprising Muneera added that she could not have set up the project without support and encouragement from her friends and her husband.

l Muneera Obaidli owns and operates the Vida Sandwich Bar in Manama. A health enthusiast she provides healthy lunches to students of Shaikha Hessa Girls School. She lives in Janabiya with her businessman husband Safyan Almoayed and her children Khalid, six, Tamara, four, and Yasmeen, 15 months.