Wheat farming is steadily growing in Oman as it is one of the important staple crops in the country. As a step to achieve self-sufficiency in food, a number of farmers in the wilayat of Wadi al Ma’awel in South Batinah governorate have begun harvesting three tonnes of wheat from seven acres.

The cultivation of wheat has proved to be successful in the sultanate as it grows in hot weather and requires less fertiliser. 

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources is seeking to encourage farmers to take an interest in cultivating wheat and provide technical support to them, an official said. 

According to statistics of the ministry, wheat production in the sultanate reached 961.67 tonnes in 2018-19. Statistics indicate that the cultivated areas of wheat amounted to 1,167 acres, with 1,627 farmers engaged in the production.

The official said, “The wilayat of Ibri recorded the highest production with 293.8 tonnes, followed by 142.3 tonnes in the wilayat of Bahla, 99.2 in the wilayat of Dhank, 93.2 in the wilayat of Yanqul and 55.1 tonnes in the wilayat of Nizwa. The wheat growing season started in mid February 2018 with harvesting done in March and April 2019.”

Meanwhile, as part of its efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in agricultural crops and support local farmers, the ministry signed a memorandum of cooperation with Oman Flour Mills. As per the pact, Oman Flour Mills buys wheat from Omani farmers at a rate of RO500 per tonne.

Oman Flour Mills company earlier in April received the first batch of Omani wheat, estimated to be weighing around 830 tonnes, which was harvested this season by 44 farmers. It was received at the company’s factory in Muttrah and the flour produced from this Omani wheat will be available in the market soon.