Muscat: In line with Vision 2040 and as part of its efforts to promote food security and self-sufficiency in the country, Oman seeks to intensify agriculture production and establish land suitable for agricultural development.
“New agricultural areas and food processing hubs will be established to contribute to food security”, according to proposals in Oman Urban Strategy.
Najd in Dhofar, Al Masarat in Al Dhahirah and North Al Batinah have been identified as major arable areas in this regard.
According to the plans, these areas have been identified taking into account the importance of sustainable management of limited water resources, the exploitation of non-traditional water resources, and the use of modern production techniques.
New agricultural production techniques and intense water resource management will be employed in addition to reinstating traditional agricultural areas to derive maximum results.
Plans are also afoot for modernisation of coastal fisheries facilities and methods; creation of a commercial fleet, development of aquaculture projects and improved management of rangeland areas.
The Oman National Spatial Strategy is the national framework for guiding Oman’s spatial development sustainably for the next 20 years and seeks to balance socio-economic development while preserving the Sultanate’s valuable natural and cultural resources for the next generations, in alignment with the national goals and priorities of Oman Vision 2040.
According to key targets envisioned in the strategy, 40 per cent land for expansion of agriculture be brought into water-efficient, commercial production and make additional land available for food production within existing agricultural properties and increase the level of food self-sufficiency.
In 2040, North Al Batinah will be the premier centre for international trade, with value-added activities building upon the industrial, mineral and agricultural resources of the governorate. Its key settlement, Suhar, will use its port and airport facilities to expand access to foreign markets to develop as a National Gateway city.
As a city it will continue to grow, formalising the urban areas of the existing settlements of Suhar and Liwa to form the Greater Suhar urban area.
It will be supported by the growth of Al Suwaiq which will prosper as a major agricultural processing centre in the south of the governorate.
Al Najd area in Dhofar Governorate enjoys natural potential. It is an environment with fertile lands and is one of the most promising agricultural regions in the Sultanate to cover the local demand of various agricultural crops.
Al Dhahirah will progressively enhance its strength in high value production in major engineering industries, logistics, food processing and national scale advanced agriculture, accelerating diversification from oil and gas and capitalising on improved access to international and regional centres through its connections to Suhar and Buraimi to the north and Nizwa/Duqm to the east and south.
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