Sustainable agricultural practices will be promoted at the eighth Bahrain International Garden Show (BIGS) taking place next February.

They will be highlighted in a comprehensive display showing the roles that individuals, companies and policy-makers can play in ensuring the best utilisation of precious resources for the benefit of future generations.

Themed Inspiring Agricultural Sustainability, it will be held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad and supported of his wife Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa.

The annual event will be staged at Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre (BIECC) from February 25 to 27, from 10am to 9pm, with a private opening on February 24.

BIGS will feature exhibits, garden displays, lectures, demonstrations and publications.

It will show that sustainable agriculture requires the restructuring of producers, buyers, investors, regulators, traders, wholesalers and retailers, as well as consumers to breaking perverse practices that encourage soil depletion and agro business favouritism, while promoting water conservation, higher producer incomes and protection of biodiversity.

'The Bahrain International Garden Show 2011 will showcase practices which enhance the economic viability of agricultural production,' BIGS general co-ordinator Shaikha Maram bint Isa Al Khalifa said at a Press conference at the BIECC.

'It will also demonstrate that in practice, agricultural sustainability often includes budgetary and politically acceptable policies of government aid to help transition farming to more sustainable practices such as the control of prices of food and the minimisation of environmental harms.'

Shaikha Maram said what distinguishes the show is its relationship to the National Initiative for Agricultural Development, launched by HRH Princess Sabeeka in March.

It aims to unify all efforts to enhance the agricultural industry in Bahrain in order to boost the sector and make it a viable career choice for the future workforce.

The initiative will implement various agricultural projects and initiate training programmes that improve the skills of farmers and introduce them to the latest technologies and good practices.

It will also undertake to protect agricultural resources and oversee the implementation of related laws and policies in Bahrain.

Another feature of the show will be a new partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (Unido), which will promote the event throughout its regional and international departments and specialised network of Investment and Technology Promotion offices.

Unido Investment and Technology Promotion Office head Dr Hashim Hussein said Unido will bring to BIGS the latest technologies and machinery in the agriculture field and hold a series of technical workshops.

Incubator

'Supporting start-up businesses and entrepreneurs is the core of our activities and we will bring start-up companies to the show, investment opportunities in agriculture and international success stories,' he said.

Dr Hussein revealed Unido also planned to launch a farmers' incubator at the show in collaboration with the Municipalities and Agriculture Ministry.

Shaikha Maram said BIGS 2011 would have a new structure to promote the importance of landscaping and nurturing new talents.

Hall One will be turned into a marketplace and showcase a variety of products and services relating to gardening and landscaping and Hall Two converted into gardens to celebrate the talents of new designers.

It is intended leading companies wishing to take part will select start-up companies specialising in garden design and landscaping to create the garden for them in their name, said Shaikha Maram.

In this way firms can participate and help start-up businesses.

Start-up companies wishing to participate in the show and leading companies looking to support them are invited to contact Unido on 17536881.

BIGS will honour exhibitors for the quality of their displays and exhibits through the Best in Show Awards.

The event will also feature 46th Annual Amateur Flower and Vegetable Competition, organised by the Bahrain Garden Club (BGC).-TradeArabia News Service