Student company launch product that enhances desert agriculture
Published: 05:05 PM,May 30,2021 | EDITED : 08:05 PM,May 30,2021
004
Student companies that are a product of higher education institutions all over the country had successfully transitioned into full-pledged entrepreneurs creating products that are not only socially relevant but also of great quality that can compete not only locally but in international markets as well.
Fateel Oman, a student company that was hatched at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences in Suhar has pioneered tapping into locally made raw materials that can help make soil healthy so it can be successfully utilised in agricultural production.
Naming the product ‘Up growth, Imad al Rujaibi, CEO of “Fateel Oman”, said that they already patented the product and they are looking forward to mass marketing it in Oman.
“Our company mission is to exploit natural resources to produce environmentally friendly products and help improve soil quality,” Al Rujaibi said.
Zubaida al Raisi, human resources manager at Fateel Oman, describes the product as speeding up the growth process of plants compared to normal speed.
“The product allows retention of water by 20 to 40 per cent. It helps soften the air temperature around plants,” she added.
Zubaida said that the product went through in-depth experimentation and that they’ve worked in the laboratories of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources.
She added that the product goes through many stages until the desired form is achieved. Using palm kernels at the beginning of the process, she explained that these kernels go through a cleaning process before it is roasted then grounded. Once the desired consistency is achieved, it is then mixed with the rest of the materials before it is packed in special bags.
Al Rujaibi said that the company focuses on improving the quality of the product to meet the specifications and standards, achieve the market need, and introduce new products according to the requirements of consumers.
“Up growth” is only the first product by Fateel Oman. Al Rujaibi said he is proud that it is a locally made agricultural medium with raw materials sourced from the Omani environment.
He also said that as per their research, the product also prevents insects and pests from attacking plants and protects the soil from harmful fungi as well as increasing water retention in soil. This is evidence of the product’s benefit as it proves water rationalisation by not having to water the plant daily.
Al Rujaibi said they are planning to expand the product offerings. As of now, they are busy working with different companies and had even dealt with flower shops providing them with ready-made seedlings that contain the product.
“We’ve reached out to different plant nurseries and provided them with an educational box so children will also be encouraged to try agriculture. The box contains agricultural tools with an easy-to-implement instruction booklet,” he said.
Fateel Oman also seeks to bring flowers, which are difficult to cultivate in Oman, from other countries. They hope that through further experimentation, they will be able to encourage the growth of these imported plants by using the product.
Zubaida said that as a young company, they have a long way to go to push their product to the general public. Part of their strategy is to focus on marketing and they’ve already planned on producing short films to share it with the media and in full, educate many people about the benefits of their products.
Fateel Oman was established at the beginning of 2002 and was an entry to ‘Injaz Oman,’ a competition that pits innovative products and student company against each other and with an overall goal of creating entrepreneurs from participating students.
Fateel Oman, a student company that was hatched at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences in Suhar has pioneered tapping into locally made raw materials that can help make soil healthy so it can be successfully utilised in agricultural production.
Naming the product ‘Up growth, Imad al Rujaibi, CEO of “Fateel Oman”, said that they already patented the product and they are looking forward to mass marketing it in Oman.
“Our company mission is to exploit natural resources to produce environmentally friendly products and help improve soil quality,” Al Rujaibi said.
Zubaida al Raisi, human resources manager at Fateel Oman, describes the product as speeding up the growth process of plants compared to normal speed.
“The product allows retention of water by 20 to 40 per cent. It helps soften the air temperature around plants,” she added.
Zubaida said that the product went through in-depth experimentation and that they’ve worked in the laboratories of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources.
She added that the product goes through many stages until the desired form is achieved. Using palm kernels at the beginning of the process, she explained that these kernels go through a cleaning process before it is roasted then grounded. Once the desired consistency is achieved, it is then mixed with the rest of the materials before it is packed in special bags.
Al Rujaibi said that the company focuses on improving the quality of the product to meet the specifications and standards, achieve the market need, and introduce new products according to the requirements of consumers.
“Up growth” is only the first product by Fateel Oman. Al Rujaibi said he is proud that it is a locally made agricultural medium with raw materials sourced from the Omani environment.
He also said that as per their research, the product also prevents insects and pests from attacking plants and protects the soil from harmful fungi as well as increasing water retention in soil. This is evidence of the product’s benefit as it proves water rationalisation by not having to water the plant daily.
Al Rujaibi said they are planning to expand the product offerings. As of now, they are busy working with different companies and had even dealt with flower shops providing them with ready-made seedlings that contain the product.
“We’ve reached out to different plant nurseries and provided them with an educational box so children will also be encouraged to try agriculture. The box contains agricultural tools with an easy-to-implement instruction booklet,” he said.
Fateel Oman also seeks to bring flowers, which are difficult to cultivate in Oman, from other countries. They hope that through further experimentation, they will be able to encourage the growth of these imported plants by using the product.
Zubaida said that as a young company, they have a long way to go to push their product to the general public. Part of their strategy is to focus on marketing and they’ve already planned on producing short films to share it with the media and in full, educate many people about the benefits of their products.
Fateel Oman was established at the beginning of 2002 and was an entry to ‘Injaz Oman,’ a competition that pits innovative products and student company against each other and with an overall goal of creating entrepreneurs from participating students.