64 February 2012 www.bahrainthismonth.com In a farm tucked away in Karannah, off the Budaiya Highway, a green transformation is quietly brewing. Crops such as Chinese apples, figs, almonds, lemons and mulberry are thriving in Nabeel Al Ajaimi’s farm, in addition to sundry vegetables. Auditor-turned-horticulturist Nabeel is only following tradition. His forefathers have been farmers for over 200 years and some of Nabeel’s best childhood memories are of his father’s garden. Taking a leap of faith in 1990, Nabeel rented a Wakf plot in Budaiya and tried his hand at growing vegetables. Everything he planted died; the soil was too saline and there was no water or electricity supply at hand. Not to be deterred, he brought truckloads of animal entrails and fish bones from Central Market, as well horse manure, and left it underground to compost, turning it once in a while. In three months, he had a supply of rich organic fertilizer, to which he added factory compost for an evenly balanced mix. Going a step beyond his father, Nabeel grows crops that have a strong demand in Bahrain such as broccoli, cherry tomatoes, salad leaves, berries, papaya and guavas. He also cultivates flowers including petunias and geraniums, as well ornamental trees for supply to nurseries, florists and various ministries. Nabeel acknowledges a debt towards the digital media, especially the Internet, which helped him keep abreast with agricultural innovation. “I did a lot of trial and error before I got it right. The internet was a big help in expanding my knowledge,” he says. Production has risen more than tenfold since he built a greenhouse, with assistance from Tamkeen, where he raises fruits, flowers and vegetables in a temperaturecontrolled environment. “I agree that conditions in Bahrain are rough. Currently, we produce only around 20 per cent of the fruits and vegetables we consume. That, too, is not round the year. But with a little planning, use of technology and hard work, agriculture is possible here. We can easily produce up to half of our supplies,” Nabeel notes. He also shoots down suggestions that Bahrain farmers cannot compete against cheap produce from abroad. “If the produce is fresh and a good quality, it will find takers in Bahrain. People are willing to pay for something fresh grown on this island rather than vegetables brought from halfway across the world in cold storage,” he says. Nabeel’s business has further picked up with the opening of the weekly farmer’s market in Budaiya. “This is just the beginning. We need more such markets in Bahrain, where farmers can bring their produce directly and meet new clients. It will be a big boost to their endeavours,” he says. Horticulture has been a good starting point for Nabeel to diversify into related areas. He has now branched into landscaping, designing gardens, waste recycling and providing consultancy to agriculturists. His ultimate dream is to see greenery on every street in Bahrain and he’s willing to help bring that about. “Bahrain has to become greener than it is. We can produce thousands of trees from our greenhouse, enough for every road and every street in Bahrain. All we want is participation from the community,” he adds. Simi Kamboj Not many would consider Bahrain a land feasible for agriculture; at least not until they meet inspired horticulturists such as Nabeel Al Ajaimi. businessentrepreneur xxxxx I did a lot of trial and error before I got it right. The internet was a big help in expanding my knowledge Nabeel Al Ajaimi Green Aspirations
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