Muscat – The Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning signed 11 agreements with several companies and private establishments to the tune of RO20mn on Sunday.

Five agreements were inked within the framework of the Food Security Lab, and six land usufruct agreements to set up agricultural projects. The projects will provide for the agricultural needs of the sultanate in a modern and innovative manner complying with food security regulations.

The projects include production facilities for white and red meat, eggs, vegetables, fruits, hydroponic produce and moringa oil, among others, to be set up in the governorates of North Batinah, South Batinah, North Sharqiyah, South Sharqiyah, Dhahirah and Musandam.

The agreements were signed by H E Dr Khalfan Said al Shuaili, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning, and representatives of the companies implementing the projects, in the presence of H E Dr Saud Hamoud al Habsi, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources.

The agreements include poultry projects – one in Ibri, Dhahirah, on an area of 70 acres and at a cost of RO900,000 to produce 46mn eggs annually, and another in Dhank, Dhahirah, on an area of 250 acres, at a total cost of RO1.5mn, to produce 6mn chicks annually.

An agreement worth RO350,000 will see the establishment of an incubator for entrepreneurs in Khasab, Musandam, on an area of 105 acres.

The usufruct agreements include one to establish a goat and sheep farm in Suwaiq, North Batinah, on an area of ten acres at a cost of RO100,000, and two projects in Ibri, Dhahirah – a goat farm on an area of 63,000sqm at a cost of RO120,000, and fruits and vegetables farm on an area of ten acres at a cost of RO90,000.

An usufruct agreement in Jalan Bani Bu Hasan, South Sharqiyah, will see the establishment of a 20,000sqm poultry farm at a cost of RO45,000.