Muscat – Oman Flour Mills Company has started receiving wheat from farmers across the sultanate for the 2026 harvest season, marking the sixth consecutive year of its national wheat procurement programme aimed at enhancing food security and supporting local agricultural production.

Implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, the initiative provides farmers with a guaranteed market for their produce while encouraging the expansion of wheat cultivation as a strategic crop. The programme also seeks to increase the contribution of local wheat to Oman’s food supply chain.

The company said the current harvest season has recorded strong participation from farmers in several governorates, with procurement volumes expected to surpass previous years. Initial indicators point to stable farmer engagement and a diverse range of locally grown wheat varieties.

Haitham bin Mohammed Al Fannah, CEO of Oman Flour Mills, said the programme has evolved into one of the sultanate’s key national initiatives for strengthening food security and empowering Omani farmers.

He noted that the partnership between the ministry and the company has contributed to improving agricultural practices, raising productivity and encouraging farmers to continue investing in wheat cultivation. The programme has also boosted growers’ confidence by providing a reliable and fair domestic market for their harvests.

Al Fannah said Oman Flour Mills plays a pivotal role in the national food security system by receiving locally produced wheat and converting it into food products for the domestic and export markets, thereby creating added value for the national economy.

Faisal bin Salem Al Mashani, Director of the CEO’s Office at Oman Flour Mills, said the procurement programme has established a sustainable marketing channel for farmers, helping improve production quality and increase supply volumes over the years.

He added that the initiative has encouraged greater compliance with technical standards related to cultivation, harvesting and delivery, supporting the long-term development and sustainability of the wheat sector.

He highlighted the company’s role in enhancing food security through efforts to increase Oman’s strategic grain reserves from eight months to 10 months. He also noted that the company has adopted round-the-clock operations during the harvest season to ensure the smooth receipt of all local wheat quantities and to overcome any supply chain challenges.

Al Mashani noted that Omani wheat production has increased nearly 20-fold since 2021, while the number of wheat farmers has tripled, reinforcing a key pillar of Oman Vision 2040 aimed at enhancing food security and achieving greater self-sufficiency.