Jabal Akhdar –A modern olive press was inaugurated on Sunday in the Wilayat of Jabal Akhdar, A’Dakhiliyah Governorate, at a cost of around RO40,000, aiming to add value to local produce and support olive farmers in the region and neighbouring wilayats.

The facility was opened under the patronage of Dr Ahmed bin Nasser Al Bakri, Undersecretary for Agriculture at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources.

With a processing capacity of 1.2 tonnes of olives per hour, the press will serve growers in Jabal Akhdar and nearby wilayats, including Al Hamra, Nakhal and Rustaq. It is expected to improve crop utilisation and enhance the quality of locally produced olive oil.

Eng Yahya bin Nasser Al Riyami, CEO of the press, said the project was established in response to the rapid growth of olive cultivation in Jabal Akhdar and the increasing demand for modern processing facilities.

He said the facility uses advanced technology designed to preserve the natural properties of olive oil and can process several varieties, including Picual, Claramunt, improved Nepali and Chemlali.

Around 70 tonnes of olives are expected to be processed during the current season, benefiting about 500 farmers. The facility has also created around 15 seasonal jobs.

Al Riyami said the project represents the first phase of a broader plan to expand olive production, packaging and marketing, with the aim of strengthening the presence of Omani olive products in local and regional markets.

Olive cultivation in Jabal Akhdar has continued to expand, with an estimated 20,000 trees planted across 80 acres and owned by nearly 700 farmers. The sector produces around 600 tonnes of olives annually, yielding approximately 90,000 litres of olive oil.

Investments in olive cultivation and related land usufruct projects have reached about RO222,500 across 110 acres, highlighting the crop’s growing economic importance and its contribution to Oman’s food security efforts.