Muscat: As part of the outcomes of the recent Food Security Lab forum, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning on Wednesday signed five land development (usufruct) contracts with private sector companies and establishments to the tune of RO 3 million.

The Food Lab forum was organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, with support from Oman Vision 2040 Follow-up Unit and “Invest-in-Oman Programme (for Programme for Attracting Investments and Supporting Exports in External Markets), which aligns with economic stimulus plans and meets the Sultanate’s agricultural needs in an innovative manner that is compatible with its foods security policies.

Dr Saud Hamoud al Habsi, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, said that the agreements are specialized projects and constitute an added value to food security and employment of jobseekers.

The land development (usufruct) projects include a contract with Qais Al Batran Company to set up a 9.5-fedan chicken farm in Khasab, Governorate of Musandam, (RO 600,000); a contract with Al Anam Business Company to establish a 95-fedan livestock breeding farm in Dhank, Governorate of Al Dhahirah (RO 1.5 million); a contract with Integrated Services for Business and Development Company for the setting up of a 200-fedan mango cultivation farm in Barka, Governorate of South Al Batinah (RO 1.25m); a contract with Gulf Mashroom Products for establishing a 10-fedan wheat cultivation project in Thamrait, Dhofar Governorate (RO 26,000) and a contract with Al Rasbi Agricultural Development Company to set up a farm for fig trees on an area of 101 fedans in Al Kamil Wal Wafi, South Al Sharqiyah Governorate (RO 282,000).

The agreements were signed by Dr Khalfan Said al Shuaili, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, and the CEOs of the companies concerned. –ONA