Oman gears up towards food self-sufficiency
Oman is taking great strides towards achieving self-sufficiency in food production with 100 per cent achieved in dates requirements and 90 per cent in dairy products, according to H E Dr
Saud bin Hamoud al Habsi, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources.
In an interview with Oman TV, the minister said that Oman Investment Authority (OIA), in cooperation with the private sec
tor, focuses on investing in the field of food security by establishing vital and important projects in the agricultural, livestock and fisheries sectors. “This has helped reduce imports and increase benefits from the water and natural resources available in Oman.”
H E Habsi added, “Oman has reached 100 per cent self-suffi
ciency in date production as a result of the great interest of the
Oman has reached 100 per cent self-sufficiency in dates production
Omani youth in this field, in ad
dition to the investments of OIA represented by the Oman Dates Development Company.”
He informed that a dates factory will be opened in Nizwa early next year, which will supply the market with eight types of products.
H E Habsi added that the percentage of self-sufficiency in the milk sector has reached 90 per cent, 25 per cent in the fruits and 26 per cent in the vegetables sector and 60 per cent in poultry 60. “We are focusing on some
crops and a few basic commodities to raise and increase selfsufficiency rates.”
H E Habsi explained that there is an expansion in investment in wheat silos in the governorates of Muscat and Dhofar, and silos have been launched in the
wilayat of Sohar in North Batinah, with a storage capacity of 165,000 tonnes. “There are 48 food stores spread over Oman.
This has allowed us to store wheat for six months to a year.”
Talking about the Najd agricultural area in Dhofar, H E Habsi said the ministry with OIA will establish a special zone for food security industries in the area.