Salalah – The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MAFWR) has initiated 11 investment projects for 2024 for cultivation of wheat, soybeans and vegetables in Dhofar. 

Rashid bin Saeed al Ghafri, Director General of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources in Dhofar, highlighted the continued growth of the agriculture, livestock, fisheries and water resource sectors in the governorate. 

The new projects include an extensive agriculture plan covering 5mn sqm in the wilayat of Al Mazyouna, alongside several other ventures in wheat and soybean cultivation, and vegetable production. 

The Food Security Laboratory held in Dhofar led to 37 usufruct contracts signed for wheat cultivation. Currently, 51 projects are underway in the agriculture sector, including the distribution of 30 tonnes of wheat kernels to farmers in Thumrait.

Ghafri informed that 3,865 coconut seedlings have been distributed in Salalah and Taqah, and 2,950 date seedlings in Thumrait in efforts aimed to expand date palm cultivation. Additionally, 14,763 seedlings of various fruit trees have been distributed across the governorate.

The Directorate of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources has successfully cultivated turmeric for two seasons and distributed 21 beehives under a development programme, while a programme supporting rural women growing seasonal crops started this month.

In the livestock sector, Dhofar imported 829,408 sheep and 61,198 cows this year. The directorate signed nine livestock projects following the Food Security Laboratory – including three investment opportunities through the Tatwir platform – and two more slated for 2024.

Furthermore, three fisheries sector projects are in progress, including a wholesale market in Shuwaymiya, maintenance of Mirbat fish market, and an aquaculture project in Raysut, Salalah, 80% of which is complete.

MAFWR plans to float tenders for developing fishing ports in Raysut, Salalah and Mirbat, and designing fish landing sites in Al Fazayeh, Rakhyut and Hadbeen in Sadah. These initiatives represent Dhofar’s commitment to bolstering its agriculture and fisheries sectors and contributing to Oman’s broader food security and economic growth objectives.