Najd – More than 70 new investment opportunities have been launched in the Najd agricultural zone in Thumrait, Dhofar as part of Oman’s push to strengthen food security and accelerate agricultural investment, alongside a new national initiative to purchase locally produced onions and garlic directly from Omani farmers.

The initiatives, announced by authorities overseeing the agric-ultural sector, are aimed at supp-orting local production, stabilising the agricultural market and enhancing the sector’s contribution to the national economy.

Saeed bin Mohammed Al Wahshi, Director of the Najd Agricultural Region Development Office, said the government is working closely with the private sector and agricultural associations to create an attractive investment environment in Najd through strategic planning, establishment of specialised agricultural zones and development of essential infrastructure and logistics services.

He noted that the investment opportunities, offered through the Tatweer platform, cover a wide range of agricultural and livestock activities and are designed to attract both local and international investors while promoting sustainable agricultural development.

Al Wahshi added that Oman Agriculture Development Company, in cooperation with the Ministry of Agricultural, Fisheries and Water Resources, has launched a national initiative to purchase onion and garlic crops from Omani farmers without setting minimum or maximum quantity limits.

The move aims to strengthen food supply chains, guarantee the marketing of local produce and provide farmers with stable sales channels, encouraging expansion in cultivation area and boosting overall production.

The Najd agricultural zone has in recent years emerged as one of Oman’s most promising farming regions, supported by vast land resources, groundwater availability and improving agricultural infrastructure. The region is also witnessing growing participation from young Omanis leading modern farming projects that rely on advanced irrigation systems and smart agricultural technologies to improve productivity, reduce water consumption and lower operational costs.

Farmer Rashid bin Hamad Al Hatmi said his decision to enter the agricultural sector was driven by the importance of enhancing self-sufficiency and reducing reliance on imports.

He said his farms have successfully cultivated crops including watermelon, melon, onion and garlic, achieving positive results in both quality and productivity.

Meanwhile, investor Ahmed bin Nasser Al Shaibani highlighted his garlic farming project, which incorporates advanced agricultural technologies along with integrated storage, sorting and packaging facilities to improve efficiency and expand export opportunities.