Muscat – What began as a modest 1,000sqm turmeric farm in Dhofar is poised to become one of Oman’s most remarkable agri-business success stories, with entrepreneur Suhail Musallam Akaak leading plans to establish a RO2mnturmeric processing factory in Rusayl Industrial City that is expected to be the first dedicated facility of its kind in the Middle East.

Speaking to Muscat Daily, Akaak said his journey started in 2022 with support from the Agricultural and Fisheries Development Fund, when he planted turmeric on a small plot and harvested around five tonnes in his first season.

Encouraged by the results, he expanded cultivation to 2,500sqm in 2023 and gradually transformed the venture into an integrated business covering farming, processing and marketing.

“In the beginning, my goal was simply to prove that turmeric could be successfully cultivated in Oman,” Akaak said. “Today, the ambition is much greater – to create a complete value chain that supports local farmers, generates employment and contributes to the sultanate’s food security.”

The business continued to grow in 2024 when Akaak began purchasing turmeric from farmers across Dhofar, providing them with a reliable market while strengthening domestic production. In 2025, he established a small processing unit manufacturing turmeric powder as well as natural products such as soaps and cosmetics made from locally grown turmeric.

This year, his company has sourced around 100 tonnes of turmeric from Omani farmers and expects production to increase substantially in the coming years. He estimates that annual output in Dhofar could approach 1,000 tonnes by 2027 as more growers embrace the crop.

A major breakthrough came with the signing of an agreement with Madayn to establish a RO2mn turmeric processing factory in Rusayl Industrial City. The first phase of the project will cover 4,000sqm and is scheduled to commence operations in January 2027, creating over 48 jobs for Omani nationals.

The factory will produce a wide range of value-added products, including food ingredients, health supplements and personal care items derived from turmeric, enhancing the commercial value of locally cultivated crops while reducing dependence on imports.

Akaak acknowledged that the road to success was not without obstacles. “There were times when I had to do everything myself – from cultivating the land and harvesting the crop to marketing and selling the products,” he said. “Financial challenges were significant, but with support from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, my family and sheer determination, I was able to keep moving forward.”

His company, Dhofar Mountains, has since evolved into a specialised agricultural enterprise focused on cultivating and processing premium crops such as turmeric and ginger while manufacturing natural creams, soaps and wellness products using locally sourced raw materials.

The business has also expanded into international markets, exporting products to Spain, Italy and Saudi Arabia and partnering with distributors to make its products available across Oman.

Akaak has introduced vertical farming systems capable of producing around 250,000 turmeric seedlings and has completed procedures for an 84,000sqm agri-tourism project in Rakhyut. The development will include fruit and vegetable farms, tourist accommodation, a farmer training institute, an agricultural laboratory and scenic trails designed to showcase Dhofar’s natural beauty and promote rural tourism.

Concluding with a message to young Omanis, Akaak encouraged them to invest in agriculture and innovation.

“Oman is a land of opportunities,” he said. “With hard work, perseverance and belief in our capabilities, we can achieve food self-sufficiency and build sustainable businesses that benefit future generations. I believe Dhofar has the potential to become one of the sultanate’s most important food baskets.”