Muscat – The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources has initiated a project to boost rose cultivation in Jabal Akhdar, Dakhliyah.

Financed by the Agricultural and Fisheries Development Fund to the tune of RO150,000, the project will span two years and benefit 15 farmers.

The project’s objectives include conducting a study to gather primary data on rose cultivation and related industries in Jabal Akhdar in collaboration with small and medium enterprises in the area.

Additionally, it seeks to support the cultivation of an additional five acres of local roses in Jabal Akhdar, introduce agricultural machinery, and provide training to 15 beneficiaries engaged in making rose water products and related industries.

Elaborating on the project’s objectives, Hanan bint Said al Sulaimiyah, Executive Director of Agricultural and Fisheries Development Fund, said, “Besides preparing a study on rose cultivation and related industries, it aims to support institutions with machines for extracting rose oil with an allocation of RO50,000.”

Hanan further stated that the project aims to expand rose cultivation, especially in terraces that have been neglected due to natural factors. The initiative involves inventorying designated agricultural sites, rehabilitating cultivation terraces and providing free seedlings to plant rose trees.

Farmers will be supported with small manual tillers as well as appropriate accessories for mechanisation as determined by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources in Jabal Akhdar. “Beneficiaries will be selected based on their cooperation and eligibility, with machines distributed accordingly.”