Salalah – A government initiative to cultivate Arabic coffee in the mountains of Dhofar is expected to open new economic opportunities for farmers and investors while reviving a crop historically linked to the region’s environmental conditions.

Launched by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources and implemented by the Directorate General of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources in Dhofar, the project  aims to establish Arabic coffee cultivation in mountain areas identified in the wilayats of Sadah, Taqah and Mirbat.

The RO93,000 budget project of four years commenced in September 2024 and will continue till August 2028.

According to officials, the initiative seeks to reintroduce Arabic coffee cultivation in the Dhofar mountains, where moderate temperatures, seasonal rainfall and fertile highland environments provide suitable conditions for the crop. The project is expected to contribute to agricultural diversification while creating a new source of income for rural communities.

The programme also aims to support sustainable development by enhancing household incomes and encouraging productive economic activities in mountain villages. Authorities believe the project could help establish a new agricultural sector capable of generating long-term economic benefits for local communities.

In addition to boosting cultivation, the initiative is expected to create investment opportunities in coffee production, processing and marketing. The growing global demand for speciality coffee presents significant prospects for developing a distinctive Omani coffee product that reflects the unique characteristics of Dhofar.

Officials noted that the project aligns with broader efforts to diversify Oman’s agricultural base and promote high-value crops capable of enhancing food security and supporting rural livelihoods.

If successful, the project could position Dhofar as a future producer of premium Arabic coffee, adding a new dimension to Oman’s agricultural and economic development efforts.