LEAD Oman strong in food security and safety measures

Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman ranks first in the Arab world and third in the food quality and safety index, according to the Arab Food Security Report, 2021, issued by the Arab Organisation for Agricultural Development.

The country is in a safe and reassuring food situation, which has achieved food security by working with various local partners from the public and private sectors.

Through a set of measures, the Sultanate of Oman sought to strengthen the food security system to ensure the stability of food prices and establish government investment companies specialised in food production.

In addition, to provide food in exceptional circumstances where food security is achieved according to the Oman Vision 2040 where all community members always have access to adequate food as well as financial means and supply stability.

Oman Food Investment Holding Company works and looks forward to the next stage of development and growth of food security in line with Oman Vision 2040 that focuses on economic diversification.

The Sultanate of Oman is considered one of the food secure countries in terms of its ability to ensure stocks despite its heavy dependence on imports and price fluctuations.

Food security’s main pillars are availability, affordability, quality and safety. The Sultanate of Oman has made remarkable progress on some of the initiatives included in its food security strategy, especially those related to agriculture, financing the fisheries sector, levels of local production, research and development, and improving the supply chain. This is in addition to the commitment of the Public Authority for Stores and Food Reserves to provide stocks of 7 types of basic food commodities for local use.

Ali bin Rashid al Ghafri, Director of the Food Standards and Conformity Department, said: “The Sultanate of Oman has undertaken several projects to secure food, including white and red meat projects, allocating lands for agricultural investment with long-term contracts, and model farms for the production of various foods.”

The government has signed agreements on food laboratory and usufruct contracts with companies to establish agricultural projects to meet the food needs of the Sultanate of Oman.

These projects also varied between the production of meat, eggs, goats, vegetables, fruits and fish which will be established in the governorates of North Al Batinah, South Al Batinah, North Al Sharqiyah, South Al Sharqiyah, Al Dhahirah and Musandam.