The agricultural sector accounted for only 1 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 1998 and employed 2 percent of the workforce. The development of agriculture is limited by lack of water and the strong salinity (saltiness) of the soil. Over a period of 30 years since 1971, Bahrain's cultivated area has been reduced from around 6,000 hectares to less than 1,500 hectares. The major crop is alfalfa for animal fodder, although farmers also grow dates, figs, mangos, pomegranates, melons, papayas, water turnips, potatoes, and tomatoes, and produce poultry and dairy products for the local market.
| Communications | ||||||||
| Country | Telephonesa | Telephones, Mobile/Cellulara | Radio Stationsb | Radiosa | TV Stationsa | Televisionsa | Internet Service Providersc | Internet Usersc |
| Bahrain | 152,000 | 58,543 | AM 2; FM 3; shortwave 0 | 338,000 | 4 | 275,000 | 1 | 37,500 |
| United States | 194 M | 69.209 M (1998) | AM 4,762; FM 5,542; shortwave 18 | 575 M | 1,500 | 219 M | 7,800 | 148 M |
| Saudi Arabia | 3.1 M (1998) | 1 M (1998) | AM 43; FM 31; shortwave 2 | 6.25 M | 117 | 5.1 M | 42 (2001) | 400,000 (2001) |
| Qatar | 142,000 | 43,476 | AM 6; FM 5; shortwave 1 | 256,000 | 2 | 230,000 | 1 | 45,000 |
| aData is for 1997 unless otherwise noted. | ||||||||
| bData is for 1998 unless otherwise noted. | ||||||||
| cData is for 2000 unless otherwise noted. | ||||||||
| SOURCE: CIA World Factbook 2001 [Online]. | ||||||||
Bahrain's fishing industry is small and only serves the domestic market. In the 1970s, the fishing industry declined, largely as a result of pollution and over-fishing in the Gulf. Since 1993, the government has been releasing young fish into local waters in order to boost stocks. Since 1997, trawlers have been banned from operating during the breeding season.