Steps initiated to manage One Million Date Palms Project
Oman Investment Authority (OIA) has announced the start of preparatory steps to undertake the management of the One Million Date Palms Project.
The move reflects the government’s keenness to improve performance and achieve fiscal sustainability in line with Oman Vision 2040 goals.
The OIA, acting in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, works to maximise benefits from this project and generate a higher economic value from it, besides enhancing food security in the Sultanate, opening up vistas for partnership with the private sector and empowering farmers.
Abdussalam Al Murshidi, OIA
Chairman said that the Authority embarks on the project through Oman Food Investment Holding Company, which possesses sufficient expertise, an all-round management system and skilled manpower that have experience in managing the assets of international foodstuff facilities.
The project will also stimulate the small and medium enterprises sector, he added.
Meanwhile, Dr Saud Hamoud Al Habsi, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, said that the the project will bring about a major shift in the farming sector in the Sultanate.
The aim is to integrate the operations of the Ministry (as an organiser and supervisor of the
sector), Oman Food Investment Holding Company, other private parties concerned and farmers.
The collaborative action will give impetus to the One Million Date Palms project and to bolster food security, the minister added.
Eng. Tarik Ali Al Amri, Board Chairman of Oman Food Investment Holding Company, said that the role of his firm is to assess the existing farms selected for the project in a bid to convert them to independent profit-generating centres that are run with top efficiency in order to engage the private sector in the process. The company will also buy participating farmers’ produce and ensure the sustainability of the project.