Muscat – Nama Water Services has launched a pilot project to cultivate camelina using recycled water, exploring the crop’s potential for biofuel production, carbon sequestration and commercial agriculture in Oman.

The project is being implemented with Hema Energy as part of Nama’s efforts to turn recycled water into a resource supporting sustainable agriculture, water security and the transition to cleaner energy.

Camelina is an oilseed crop used in the production of biofuels. The trial will assess its performance under Oman’s climatic conditions and examine whether recycled water can be used safely and efficiently for its cultivation.

The project will monitor crop productivity, irrigation efficiency, soil and water quality, environmental impact and carbon sequestration potential. It will also estimate prospects for biofuel production and the generation of carbon credits.

Under the partnership, Nama Water Services will provide the project site and recycled water supply. Hema Energy will manage implementation, operations, monitoring, data analysis and other technical aspects.

Sultan Qaboos University will provide research support and scientific verification, while the Environment Authority will oversee environmental compliance. The Oman Net Zero Centre will assess the project’s alignment with the sultanate’s net-zero objectives and carbon sink programmes.

According to Nama, the trial will help establish a scientific and technical basis for evaluating camelina’s economic and commercial feasibility before any expansion of cultivation.

The findings are expected to support decisions on the wider use of recycled water in agriculture and the development of value chains linked to biomass and renewable energy production.

If successful, the project could provide a model for using treated water in non-traditional crops while reducing pressure on conventional water resources and supporting Oman’s green economy goals.