Potatoes drive food security

Once a relatively minor crop in Oman, potatoes are emerging as an increasingly important part of Oman’s food-security drive, backed by growing investment in local agricultural production.
Between 2021 and 2025, Oman allocated an estimated RO 36.4 million to 106 agricultural projects, targeting crops that can meet rising domestic demand, strengthen local supply chains and reduce reliance on imports.
Of this investment, 13 projects worth RO 7.34 million were directed towards potato production, highlighting the crop’s growing commercial importance alongside traditionally cultivated crops such as onions and garlic.
The official project data was published in Food Security Labs, a book documenting 'outputs and projects that have contributed to increasing local production, strengthening the food stockpile, enhancing added value, supporting the national economy, and ultimately localising the 'Second Billion' in food security; the general vegetable cultivation secured the largest share of new activity.'
​The diverse vegetable crops secured 56 projects totalling RO 15.95 million, directed towards high-demand local items, including tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and leafy greens.
Onion production ranked second with 30 projects valued at RO 8.00 million, driven by year-round domestic consumption and the crop's long-term storage viability.
Garlic cultivation gained 9 targeted projects, which accounted for the remainder of the portfolio, focusing specifically on import substitution for a high-demand commodity.
While onions, along with garlic, are traditionally and historically rooted crops in Oman, their role and economic scale have evolved significantly over time. Potato, meanwhile, is seeing an increase in commercial production.
For centuries, Omani farmers cultivated onions alongside traditional staples like dates, garlic, wheat, limes, and pomegranates.
​Traditional irrigation systems, like aflaj, were crucial. Onions were grown as a seasonal field crop irrigated through Oman’s ancient aflaj. Because onions are relatively drought-tolerant and store well compared to delicate leafy greens, they were a practical crop for local communities in arid conditions.
​Onions are part of culinary heritage and have been the foundational flavour base for traditional Omani cuisine, used extensively in classic dishes like Omani Shuwa, Harees, Salona, and spice mixtures.
​Now there is a shift from traditional farming to modern commercial scale. While onions were historically grown on smallholder farms mainly for family consumption or local village trade, the modern era sees Oman relying heavily on imported onions to meet rising national demand.
In recent years, the government has strategically targeted onions to move back from imported goods to mass local production.
Onions now have a strategic crop status, as they are designated as a primary focus for national food security because of their long shelf life and year-round daily consumption.
Unlike dates, wheat, onions, garlic, and limes, potatoes were introduced to the region much more recently as part of modern agricultural development.
While not native to traditional Omani heritage, potatoes have become a strategic priority in recent national food security plans.
​High consumer demand is the major reason. Changing dietary habits, expanding urban populations, and the growth of local food processing industries and restaurant chains have driven up potato consumption.
Oman traditionally imported the vast majority of its potatoes. According to experts, current investments aim to replace foreign imports with domestic yield. Specialised agricultural areas, such as the Al Najd region of Dhofar, have proven to be successful because they provide the cooler winter seasons, vast land, and modern centre-pivot irrigation needed to grow potatoes efficiently on a commercial scale.
​The local produce has been able to strengthen supply chains and market stability.
​Agricultural officials highlighted that spreading investments across multiple crop categories mitigates production risks, protecting local markets against unexpected climate disruptions and global price swings.
​Expanding local farm capacity also optimises fresh produce logistics because import costs are reduced and there is no need for long-distance freight, cold storage facilities, and handling expenses.
Most importantly, it is expected to help with price stability and quality, as localised production ensures fresher crops in supermarkets.