According to Gulf Daily News, Municipalities and Urban Planning Affairs Minister Dr Juma Al Ka'abi told MPs that authorities want to reduce that figure to 50 per cent.

He said Bahrain had 37 poultry farms that supplied chickens to the Delmon Poultry Farm for meat, while only three produced eggs.

"We have problems providing plots for investment in poultry farming and we have managed to provide space in Hamala, but we need more," said Dr Al Ka'abi.

"There are plans to reach 50 per cent in local production from the current 20 per cent, but that depends on other factors besides plots, which we are currently working on.

"The ministry is currently providing healthcare and technical assistance to farmers and this has helped increase our productivity."

He was responding to a question by parliament's financial and economic affairs committee vice-chairman Abdulhakeem Al Shemmri on plans to increase poultry production.

Meanwhile, Dr Al Ka'abi said no new fishing licences were being issued until the completion of a study on regulating the sector.

"We want to reduce overfishing and licences will be withdrawn, while their holders will be fairly compensated in that process," he said.

"Reclamation is another issue not related to overfishing and we are addressing that separately."

He was responding to a question by parliament's public utilities and environment affairs committee chairman Hassan Al Dossary.

Culture Minister Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa was due to respond to a question, but postponed her appearance due to official business abroad.

It will be her first appearance since facing off with Islamist MPs, who she accused of trying to undermine the country's tourism industry last year.