Procurement of locally grown wheat surges to 1,100 MT in 2022: OFM

Oman Flour Mills (OFM) has ramped up its procurement of locally grown Omani wheat in a concerted effort to sustain the growth of wheat-based farming in the Sultanate of Oman.

Procurements have grown nearly four-fold to 1,100 metric tonnes this year, according to the publicly listed firm.

Haitham Al Fannah, CEO - Oman Flour Mills, said: “Supporting local farmers is OFM's top priority; that is why we have renewed the contract to purchase locally grown wheat and are keen to support local growers in any way possible. Our lifting has increased to 1100 MT from 300 MT in the previous year." In remarks to the Observer, the CEO also noted that consumer interest in flour and bakery products based on locally grown wheat is growing as well.

“We are purchasing directly from farmers to ensure that the benefits reach directly to the farmers without involving commercial intermediaries, which is a priority to support the farmers in any way. Ond our sales number are growing yearly and consumers are loyal to the 100 per cent Omani brand,” he added.

The wheat crop is of interest to many farmers in the Sultanate of Oman as an important food crop that enters the food security basket. Mid-November is the time for planting wheat in most governorates of the Sultanate of Oman. The cultivation season extends from mid-October to mid-December, but much depends on availability of water and general farming conditions.

For its part, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources works, through its various agencies, to support and encourage farmers to grow wheat as a strategic commodity that strengthens food security, by providing them with seeds of improved, high-yield varieties.

This is in addition to guidance and technical support and direct supervision of the fields.

According to official figures, wheat production amounted to about 2,649 MT in 2020/2021 season, representing an increase of 19 per cent over the previous land. Land under wheat cultivation rose to 2,449 acres, recording an increase of 19.6 per cent.

Around 3,000 Omani farmers are currently engaged in wheat farming in Oman.

Khalaa Fail Mattar Jaddad, a wheat farmer who owns a farm in the Najd area of Thamrait wilayat, said: “I cultivated about 55 acres of wheat using local species distributed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources. Thanks to the support received from the Ministry, we harvested about 64 tons of wheat.” Qais bin Abdul Rahman al Abri, who grows wheat in the Wilayat of Bahla, added: “Wheat is a crop that generates a rewarding income when it is cultivated in proper conditions. We have produced 35 tons of wheat by cultivating 35 acres of farmland this season.”