Muscat – The 2023 rose harvest season has kicked off in Jabal Akhdar, Dakhliyah.
During the season, the fragrant Damask roses are in full bloom. Farmers handpick flowers for production of rose water, rose oil and other fragrance products.

The rose harvest season is an important cultural event in the region, when visitors can participate in picking and processing of roses, besides enjoying cultural performances, traditional food and local hospitality.

Rose farming is done on terrace farms situated at an altitude of over 3,000m. Typically, 5,000 or more rose shrubs are grown on an area of 7-10 acres.

An estimated 28,000ltr of rose water is produced in Jabal Akhdar annually.

Ali Saif al Shukaili, Assistant Director of Heritage and Tourism in Dakhliyah, said that the rose harvest season in Jabal Akhdar ushers in a tourism season allowing tourists an intimate look at the traditional as well as modern methods of distilling rose water.

The season runs from the end of March and continues till mid-April every year. It is typically associated with the distillation of rose water, which is a key component of ornamental products, food essences, sweets and Omani coffee, Shukaili added.

He pointed out that the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism attaches great importance to encouraging investments in Jabal Akhdar, notably in tourism projects like resorts, hotels and guesthouses. “Such projects also help the local community gain from the tourism activities in the wilayat.”

He added that the Tourist Services Centre in Jabal Akhdar Road provides information of how best tourists can enjoy and experience the rose harvest season.