Food Security Lab unlocks RO1.3 bn worth investment opportunities

BUSINESS REPORTER

MUSCAT, Nov 6

The Food Security Laboratory held in September spawned as many as 102 projects and investment opportunities totaling around RO 1.3 billion, said Dr Ahmed bin Nasser al Bakri, Agriculture Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources.

He told Oman News Agency (ONA) that the projects would augment the agro sector’s output by one million tons annually.

The current yield of agricultural crops is now more 4 million tonnes – an increase that will meet self-sufficiency with regard to some key staples.

The Lab has highlighted the need for the cultivation of certain strategic crops, such as onions, potatoes and garlic aimed at reducing Oman’s dependence on imports, he said.

The date palm crop, which is the biggest in terms of area under cultivation, continues to provide improved yields, he stated.

A success story of the agro sector is wheat cultivation, with as many as 2,445 acres currently under cultivation across the country, he said. The recent decision by Oman Flour Mills to procure locally harvested wheat will also drive the growth of this crop, he noted.

The yield currently ranges from 1.7 tonnes per acre, rising to 2.5 tonnes if the crop is based on Nejd, Jabrin, Bahla and Nizwa species.