Oman improves food security ratings

Projects promoting agriculture, livestock and fisheries are the Sultanate of Oman's priority to ensure food security in the country.

The stress has been there on food security through several projects in the areas of agriculture, livestock, fish and water resources.

Dr Saud bin Hamoud al Habsi, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, said, "The ministry is implementing a set of strategies regarding agriculture, livestock, fisheries and water resources in line with the objectives of the 'Oman Vision 2040' and working to achieve fast pace towards self-sufficiency in food security in the Sultanate of Oman for several basic commodities."

The government focuses on investing in the field of food security through the Oman Investment Authority (OIA) in many vital and important projects in the sectors of agriculture, livestock and fisheries, as well as private sector investments in this field, which contributes to reducing dependence on imports and benefiting from the areas and water and natural resources.

Statistics indicate that there are 102 priority food security projects, 66 of which relate to agriculture, 28 to fish, and 8 to water resources.

The Sultanate of Oman has advanced its food security status by 13.8 points in the food security index since 2012.

According to the World Food Security Index for the year 2022, the Sultanate of Oman improved by five ranks to stand at 35. It's points remained 71.2 out of 100.

Also, among the primary indicators considered by the report, the Sultanate of Oman ranked 21 in the index of access to food; 34 in the index of food abundance; 42 in the index of food quality and safety; and 60 in sustainability and adaptation.

The production of fish wealth exceeded 137 per cent, and the number of fishermen reached about 58,000.

There are 90 factories involved in fish production, of which 64 apply quality standards. They export products to the Gulf, European and Asian markets.

Also, self-sufficiency in the milk sector reached 90 per cent, especially in light of the entry of Mazoon Company and other investments from the public and private sectors. The percentage of growth in the fruits sector is at least 25 per cent, vegetables 26 per cent, and poultry 60 per cent.

Meanwhile, the Food Security Laboratory witnessed the exit of more than 100 projects with an investment volume of about RO 1.3 billion in various sectors and projects.

The Sultanate of Oman began focusing on some projects in the field of food, and one of the most important projects is the opening of the Oman Factory for Milk and Dairy Products in the Salalah Free Zone in January 2020.

@afrahalbalushia