AFDF finances 13 projects worth RO 2.4 m in 2025

MUSCAT: The Agricultural and Fisheries Development Fund (AFDF), in cooperation with relevant entities within the food security system, financed 13 development projects across the agricultural, fisheries and water resources sectors during 2025, with a total value of RO 2.4 million.
The funding forms part of the Fund’s ongoing efforts to support projects with sustainable developmental impact, enhance local production, and advance food security objectives in line with the Oman Vision 2040.
Hanan bint Said al Sulaimi, Executive Director, AFDF, said that the Fund has financed around 64 development projects across Oman over the past five years, with total funding exceeding RO 10.6 million.
She explained that agricultural projects accounted for approximately RO 6.5 million of this total, followed by the fisheries sector with RO 2.2 million and the livestock sector with around RO 1.2 million. The water resources sector received about RO 312,000, while projects related to food safety and quality amounted to RO 285,000.
Al Sulaimi noted that recent years have witnessed the financing of a wide range of development initiatives aimed at strengthening food security. These include projects to boost local production, expand aquaculture, improve value chains and marketing and promote innovation and sustainability.
Among the funded initiatives are model grape farms in Oman, the localisation of turmeric cultivation in Dhofar, the propagation of economically important fruit varieties, enhancing the added value of Omani roses in Al Jabal Al Akhdar, improving animal housing for rural women, and developing fresh dairy products in Dhofar.

Other projects include strengthening the sustainability of abalone fisheries, brown mussel farming, technical pilot research on the LMD digital system, and the evaluation of plastic components used in food-contact packaging materials.
She added that the Fund’s financing objectives directly support key pillars of Oman Vision 2040, particularly labour market development, economic diversification, financial sustainability, environmental protection, natural resource management and enhanced governance, while ensuring long-term developmental impact.
Al Sulaimi highlighted the strategic partnership between the AFDF and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, describing it as an integrated effort to develop agricultural and fisheries wealth, water resources, and food safety and quality in support of national food security goals.
She further explained that project financing is based on carefully defined criteria to ensure quality and sustainability. These include alignment with the Fund’s 2040 strategy, revenue generation to strengthen financial sustainability, partnerships with public and private sector entities, direct developmental impact on beneficiaries, job creation for citizens, human capacity building, broad geographic reach across governorates, and adherence to environmental and economic sustainability principles.
The Executive Director said that the Fund’s 2040 strategy focuses on preserving and efficiently utilising natural agricultural, livestock and fisheries resources, increasing sectoral contributions to food security and GDP, transferring and localising modern and innovative technologies, raising beneficiaries’ income levels, building human capacities, and creating investment opportunities, particularly for small and medium enterprises.
She added that during 2026, the Fund will continue implementing its work plan by financing projects in agriculture, fisheries, water resources and food safety across various governorates to improve production efficiency, develop value-added chains, and promote innovation. These efforts aim to enhance national economic competitiveness and reduce dependence on food imports.
Al Sulaimi noted that the plan places strong emphasis on sustainable resource management, private-sector and SME empowerment, and employment generation, in line with the shift toward a knowledge-based and sustainable productive economy.
She also confirmed that the Fund is giving special attention to innovative projects linked to agricultural tourism, as part of its commitment to financing initiatives that contribute to economic diversification through modern technologies and creative solutions. — ONA