Al Dhahirah food investments reach RO 84 million

IBRI: Al Dhahirah Governorate has attracted 67 food security projects with investments totalling RO 84 million, as it seeks to expand agricultural production, strengthen local supply chains and develop value-added food industries.
The projects cover about 9,607 acres across the wilayats of Ibri, Dhank and Yanqul and include crop cultivation, livestock and poultry production, food processing, water bottling and agricultural services.
The total includes a recently signed poultry farming project involving Al Namaa Company with an investment value of RO 28.85 million.
Dr Talal bin Zahran al Busaidi, Director-General of Agricultural Wealth and Water Resources in Al Dhahirah Governorate, said the region had the potential to develop into an integrated food production and processing centre.
He cited fertile agricultural land, water resources, farming expertise, diversified production and recent infrastructure development among the factors supporting the governorate’s expansion.
Its location also provides access to regional markets and creates opportunities for the growth of food manufacturing, storage and logistics services, he said.
Government services, including agricultural extension, veterinary care and support programmes, were also helping improve the viability and sustainability of private investment projects.
Ibri accounts for the largest share of existing investments, with 38 projects covering agricultural, livestock, manufacturing and service activities.
These include greenhouse vegetable production, date palm cultivation, fodder production, livestock and poultry farming, tissue culture laboratories, water bottling facilities and integrated agricultural and livestock projects.
Other activities include fertiliser production, veterinary hospitals and table egg production.
Dhank has 10 investment projects spanning plant production, manufacturing and agricultural services.
The projects include date palm cultivation and date production, onion, potato, garlic and vegetable farming, food processing, the use of animal waste, livestock breeding and table egg production.
The wilayat is regarded as a major agricultural production centre in Al Dhahirah and is expected to play a growing role in supporting self-sufficiency and economic diversification.
Yanqul has nine investment projects covering crop and livestock production, food processing and support services.
They include grape and fig cultivation, date palm farming, livestock breeding, fodder production, management and operation of the fish market, and water purification and bottling facilities.
Al Busaidi said the directorate was targeting between RO 37.5 million and RO 50 million in additional investment during 2026 through new opportunities in crop, livestock, fisheries and water-related activities.
The planned investments are expected to increase production, diversify resources and strengthen the Sultanate of Oman’s food security system.
He said the next phase should focus not only on increasing agricultural output but also on building integrated value chains covering production, sorting, packaging, storage, processing, marketing and exports.
Expanding food-processing facilities, packaging and storage centres, fodder projects and dairy and meat plants would increase local value addition and strengthen the sector’s contribution to the economy, he said.
Potential investment areas include grain and strategic crop production, smart agriculture, fodder processing, livestock breeding, food manufacturing, cold storage, agricultural services, water projects and logistics.
The directorate has launched 36 new projects for 2026 through the Tatweer platform in cooperation with the Directorate-General of Housing and Urban Planning.
The opportunities include a veterinary hospital, a tissue culture centre, greenhouses, livestock developments and factories producing soft drinks and flavoured beverages.
A further 11 opportunities in food processing and organic fertiliser production have been offered through the platform in cooperation with specialists at Ibri Industrial City, which is operated by the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates, or Madayn.
Al Busaidi said the projects supported the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources’ efforts to raise self-sufficiency rates and build a more sustainable and competitive food production system under Oman Vision 2040. — ONA