Agricultural sector projects enhance food security

IBRA: Al Sharqiyah North Governorate witnessed extensive developmental activity throughout 2025 in the agricultural, livestock, and water sectors, manifested in a package of projects and achievements implemented and supervised by the General Directorate of Agricultural Wealth and Water Resources in the governorate.
These efforts come within the strategic framework of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources to enhance food security, develop water resources, and support farmers and breeders in alignment with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.
Dr Abdulaziz bin Ali al Mashikhi, Director-General of Agricultural Wealth and Water Resources in Al Sharqiyah North Governorate, stated that the economic data achieved in the governorate for 2025 showed that the average total agricultural production over the past three years reached 1,267,000 tonnes.

He noted a 7 per cent growth in the area used for fruit cultivation, totalling 841 acres with a total production of 4,633 tonnes. Additionally, the area of model fruit farms reached 503 acres, while the area of grape fields over the past three years reached 27 acres, and fig fields reached 66 acres. The area dedicated to vegetables accounted for 25.2 percent of the total, covering 989 acres with a total production of 51,295 tons.
He added that the total area of date palm crops grew by 1.3 per cent to reach 8,359 acres, with an expected total production of 50,236 tonnes. He emphasised that Al Sharqiyah North Governorate ranked fifth nationally in date production with 50,236 tonnes, representing 12 per cent of Oman’s total, with 1,003,072 palm trees. Furthermore, the governorate ranked first among the governorates of Oman in the production of 'Mabsali' dates (Busr), with a production of 11,620 tonnes, while the number of Mabsali palms in the governorate’s wilayats reached 136,112 trees.

The Director-General affirmed that the governorate is witnessing rapid growth in enhancing food security and the contribution of agriculture to the national economy through farmers, the offering of investment opportunities, and the use of modern technologies and greenhouses. The plant sector in the governorate grew by 3 per cent last year, and the governorate achieved 100 per cent self-sufficiency in certain agricultural and animal products, such as dates, cucumbers, honey, and eggs.
He mentioned that the Model Grape Farms Project contributes to strengthening the food and water security system by cultivating 100 acres of grapes, bringing the growth index of grape cultivation areas in Al Sharqiyah North to 370 per cent. This brings the total area of grape fields to 127 acres, with productivity reaching 635 tonnes and an economic return exceeding RO one million. — ONA