Farmer cultivates 100,000 wild thyme seedlings

MUSCAT, SEPT 7
From the high mountain peaks where wild thyme grows naturally, an ambitious agricultural experiment has taken root in Wadi Al Sahtan, Wilayat of Al Rustaq, Al Batinah South Governorate.
Omani farmer Khalfan bin Hamoud al Khatri and his sons have successfully transferred the wild plant from its natural mountain habitat to a cultivated environment with similar conditions. What began four years ago with just three seedlings has grown into a promising project with around 100,000 seedlings, highlighting the potential of Oman’s native plants as an agricultural resource.
The idea began during a visit to the mountains of Wadi Al Sahtan, where the family decided to bring three thyme seedlings back to their farm and experiment with cultivating them outside their natural habitat.
Hamoud bin Khalfan al Khatri, owner of the thyme cultivation project, said the initial effort was simply an experiment to see whether the mountain plant could adapt to a cultivated environment.
“We brought three seedlings from the mountains to the farm. It was initially just an idea and an experiment that we wanted to try,” he said.
The experiment gradually developed as the family learned more about the plant’s requirements and created conditions that closely resemble its natural habitat.
Propagation has been carried out through ground layering, allowing the plants to establish and produce new growth. The process required continuous care and effort, particularly in adapting the plant to its new environment.
The family initially tried growing the thyme at home, but the plants did not perform well. They later moved them to the current farm location, where the conditions proved more suitable.
The project currently covers more than one and a half acres, with plans to expand the cultivated area as demand increases. The family is also working to increase production and develop additional marketing channels.
The cultivated plants, according to the project owners, have retained the characteristics of the wild thyme, including its taste and aroma.
“It has the same quality, characteristics, taste and aroma. In fact, the plants here may benefit from greater care and attention than those growing in the mountains,” Hamoud said.
Khalfan al Khatri said the family’s experience had demonstrated the plant’s ability to adapt when suitable conditions were provided.
Thyme also has a long tradition of use among local communities, forming part of the natural and cultural heritage associated with Oman’s mountain areas. The family said the plant continues to be valued for its traditional uses.
Beyond cultivation, the project has developed into a small agricultural enterprise. The thyme is marketed through local markets, selected shops and social media, while direct sales to visitors provide another outlet.
“We market it in local markets, provide it to some shops and promote it through social media. We also receive visitors at the farm every day,” Khalfan said.
The farm has gradually become an attraction for visitors from different parts of Oman and from abroad, adding an agricultural tourism dimension to the project.
“There has been strong interest in the farm, and it has become a tourist destination. We receive visitors from Oman and from outside the country,” he said.
With plans for further expansion, the project represents a promising example of how Oman’s plant heritage can be preserved and transformed into a sustainable agricultural venture.