Riffa Views, the first master-planned property development in Bahrain, will bring to life a traditional Bahraini Farmers’ Market, as part of its efforts to highlight the importance of their contribution to Bahrain, both historically and in the present-day.

The company aims to offer local farmers a platform to display their produce at the upcoming 2009 Riffa Views Bahrain International Garden Show (RVBIGS 09).

The move comes following the success of last year’s Riffa Views Showcase of Local Arts and Crafts.

Richard Browning, CEO of Riffa Views, commented: "We want to leave a legacy in Bahrain, a positive footprint in the shape of a sustainable and valuable contribution to the kingdom and its development."

"For this year’s RVBIGS, we have selected the area of local agricultural expertise as we believe the local farmers’ community occupies a significant place in the country’s heritage," he remarked.

“Our Farmer’s Market will not only include the farmers but also a wide range of other members of the local community, all displaying their very traditional skills and products alongside the farmers,” he added.

The market will be a central attraction by way of its location in the main hallway of the Bahrain Convention and Exhibition Centre; thereby allowing visitors to experience the feel of a traditional Bahraini Farmers’ Market as they enter the venue.

He said the Riffa Views Farmers’ Market will allow the local farmers to demonstrate their longstanding trade and skills.

Consisting of a display of all kinds of local seasonal produce from the fields and trees of Bahrain, the farmers’ market will provide a unique opportunity for this vital sector of the kingdom’s life to be exposed to a large audience.

The visitors to the show can experience ‘home-grown’ products at their best - the farmers’ fruit and vegetables as well as local specialities including honey, Bahraini bread and date syrup, he noted.

Local produce including tomatoes, cucumbers, pumpkin, dahl, coriander, among other vegetables and fruits, will be on display at the farmers’ market.

A traditional coffee shop will allow visitors to enjoy not only Arab coffee and tea, but roqaq bread along with dairy products locally produced such as yogurt, milk, laban and labnah.

The Riffa Views Farmers’ Market will also exhibit locally grown grass and an array of native flowers, he added.

Visitors to the RVBIGS will be able to enjoy the full atmosphere of a traditional Bahraini market as the trades and products on display will not only include the farmers but also a beekeeper, who will show off his local honey production, and the product from a local date syrup producer – so for anyone with a sweet tooth, this will be the place to be.

Other elements will be found in the traditional market display such as basket and carpet weavers, alongside a roqaq-bread maker.

Together they will provide a great insight into the crucial place these old established trades and professions hold in Bahrain’s history and an understanding of how they continue to play a major role in the Bahrain of today.

The Riffa Views Farmers’ Market will bring alive a real sense of the old style Bahrain trading place, full of a wonderful combination of vibrant colours and aromas, offering something for everyone.

It provides a real opportunity for the local producers to show off the quality and range of their local produce that they so caringly grow and harvest and for the visiting public to appreciate the important part they play in the community.

The Garden Show will be held from April 17 to 19 under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, King of Bahrain and under the support of Shaikha Sabeka bint Ibrahim Al-Khalifa, wife of the King of Bahrain.-TradeArabia News Service