The Sultanate is weighing plans to set up its first Vertical Farming project — a landmark initiative which, when eventually implemented, will mark the country’s maiden foray into what is billed globally as ‘the future of sustainable agriculture’.
Vertical farming refers to the practice of cultivating all kinds of fruits, vegetables and other crops in vertically stacked layers, such as in buildings or skyscrapers, shipping containers and even repurposed warehouses.
It allows for optimisation of cultivation using various kinds of soilless farming techniques such as hydroponics, aquaponics, aeroponics and so on — an enterprise that is seen as promising for Oman’s arid climate.
The initiative is being spearheaded by Oman Food Investment Holding Company SAOC (OFIC), the government’s food sector investment and development arm. A portfolio of new projects slated for implementation over the 2021 – 2026 timeframe includes a first-ever commercial-scale Vertical Farming project, which will planned to come up at Al Khoudh in Muscat Governorate.
OFIC, an affiliate of Oman Investment Authority (OIA), is currently overseeing the development of a substantial portfolio of food-related projects and initiatives aimed primarily at strengthening the Sultanate’s long-term food security.
Its investments, pursued either directly or through partnerships and subsidiaries, span dairy processing, poultry and eggs, milk collection and distribution, fruit and vegetables retail, food logistics, food innovation, animal feed, and veterinary vaccines and pharmaceuticals and other commodities across the entire food value chain.
According to details shared recently by OFIC of its new wave of projects, the proposed Vertical Farming initiative, which is currently in its pre-feasibility stage, will be undertaken by the Agricultural Production and Marketing Company (APMC), a subsidiary of OFIC. Initial investment in the venture is estimated at RO 10 million.
The initiative, say experts, has the potential to spark the growth a wider industry around vertical farming in the Sultanate, given the many advantages associated with this economic activity in a country like Oman. With traditional agriculture constrained by a number of factors, chiefly water availability, soil salinity, dearth of arable land, and harsh temperatures, the Sultanate has little choice but to explore vertical farming on a commercial scale, they point out.
With vertical farming, multiple types of crops can be cultivated at the same time across different levels, while cultivation can be prioritised to give importance to, for example, organic produce or high-value crops. Furthermore, with the aid of special LED lighting and other technologies, output can be optimised by as much as 10 times the yield from traditional farming.
Unlike conventional cultivation, which is susceptible to weather-related disruptions, natural pests and climate-related vagaries, vertical farming is undertaken in temperature-controlled indoor settings and thus shielded from external factors. In place of soil as a cultivation medium, peat moss or coconut husk can be used. Water usage – typically a major challenge in countries like Oman – can be minimised to less than a tenth of the requirement, according to experts.
Success in the delivery of the Al Khoudh project could potentially position Oman as a key player in vertical farming in the region.
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