KUWAIT CITY, Jan 10: A decline has recently been noted in the number of stalls selling fresh Kuwaiti fruits and vegetables at the Kuwaiti Farmers’ Market in the Al-Wafra Agricultural area, near the main branch of the Al- Wafra Agricultural Cooperative Society, which opened nearly a month ago, reports Al-Seyassah daily. Many Al-Wafra farmers attributed the decline to the closure of tourist farms in the area, while some fruit and vegetable vendors said it was due to stricter enforcement of health regulations by the relevant authorities, particularly regarding the safety and hygiene of the workers handling the produce. Another factor contributing to the decline was the increase in sales outlets set up in front of many Al- Wafra farms. Meanwhile, farmer Salem Al- Radhan, owner of a farm in Al- Wafra Agricultural area Block 2, raised concerns about the accumulation of farm waste and debris along roadsides and streets in many agricultural plots.

He urged farm owners to designate a specific area for burning farm waste and converting it into ash that can be used as fertilizer for palm trees, adding that if every farmer burned their waste in a remote location, about 70 percent of it could be put to productive use, rather than causing harm to public health and the environment. In addition, farmer Mashabeb Mohammed Al-Jalal Al-Sahli expressed hope that all Al-Wafra farmers would cooperate with the cleaning company and Kuwait Municipality to remove farm waste from all agricultural plots in the area. He urged farm owners to provide containers for farm waste, indicating that the cleaning company should transport the collected waste daily to its main landfills, away from the Al-Wafra Agricultural area. Al-Sahli highlighted that Al-Wafra Agricultural area produces essential food for the people of Kuwait and hence must be properly cleaned to protect the health of both citizens and residents.