Ta’ Qali is not a place I visit frequently, probably because the adventure park which opened a year ago is not a place I could drag my teenage children to. Nowadays, I only go to Ta’ Qali on a Saturday or a Sunday afternoon for football purposes. Well, the other weekend was different as I went twice for different occasions, on Saturday morning to buy some fresh produce from the newly created farmer’s market and on Sunday morning to attend the official opening by the Prime Minister of the St Francis Animal Welfare Centre.
The farmer’s market is indeed a sublime innovative idea, which was welcomed by the farmers and consumers alike. Although the market was meant to stay open until 5 p.m. most farmers had to leave by 3 p.m., not because of lack of business but as a result of selling all of their produce. A number of farmers who have their fields nearby went three times to reload their vans with freshly cut vegetables and fruits and, yet, they ran out of stock. Saturday’s experience was a positive one for the farmers, consumers and those individuals in the Ministry for Rural Affairs who were behind this idea. Why was this initiative an instant success?
From a consumer’s perspective one is given the opportunity to buy fresh produce from the preferred farmer, something that is not possible when one buys vegetables from street hawkers. The farmers’ market brings consumers in direct contact with the farmers and provides the opportunity for consumers to give feedback on their products. Furthermore, the quality of the product is guaranteed because the produce cannot be fresher. There are also advantages to be had by the farmers. Apart from enjoying the mark-up normally related with retailing, farmers will have the opportunity to have first-hand encounters with consumers whom they can educate about their products.
The first session of the farmers’ market was well organised, well attended and promises well for the future. As with anything innovative, there is room for improvement. It would be nice, for instance, if in the cold winter months one could find a place within the market to have a bowl of hot vegetable soup. Maybe the Institute for Tourism Studies could be involved in a project whereby a stand is set up and students cook meals with fresh produce. Meals can then be sold and profits ploughed back into the institute.
On Sunday morning, I drove back to Ta’ Qali, this time to attend the official opening ceremony of the St Francis Animal Welfare Centre, another project by the Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs.
For the thousands of Maltese animal lovers this is the facility they have been dreaming about. The opening of this place has been welcomed not only by NGOs and those involved in the care of animals but by all those who love animals.
The centre’s aim is not to compete with the private veterinary clinics across Malta. In fact, the services provided for private pet owners will be charged at the going rates. The facility’s aim is to complement the existing services. Among other services, the centre will be offering a 24-hour, seven days a week vets’ presence and a convalescence unit for animals which undergo an operation. Somebody said it’s like having a Zammit Clapp Hospital for animals and he is right. In addition, the new centre will be supporting NGOs in the field of animal care and will serve to treat stray animals before transferring them to the Animal Welfare Department and to some of the sanctuaries that can offer support.
The two activities over the same weekend made me reflect on how this country of ours has progressed. A quarter of a century ago we fought for the most basic human rights and, today, we talk about consumers’ and animals’ rights. We care about our farmers like we care about consumers as we care about the animals. The latest initiatives are yet another proof that the government is giving its share in cultivating a caring society.