Contracts signed to boost Oman’s food security

SALALAH: The Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning (MoHUP) signed on Tuesday, August 30, as many as 40 contracts worth RO 9 million in total investments to boost food security in the Sultanate of Oman.

The contracts were signed by Dr Khalfan bin Saeed al Shuaili, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning, in the presence of His Highness Sayyid Marwan bin Turki al Said, Governor of Dhofar and Dr Saud bin Hamoud al Habsi, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources.

The list includes 37 contracts for the development of agricultural projects in Dhofar Governorate, primarily related to the cultivation of wheat in the Najd Agricultural Zone over an aggregate area of 28 million square metres with a combined investment of RO 5.5 million. A further three contracts relate to the development of textile agriculture and nurseries with an investment value of RO 3.5 million covering a total area of 93 thousand square meters.

The signing of these contracts is part of the MoHUP's efforts to support the agricultural sector in the Sultanate of Oman and to diversify sources of food. It is also a testament to the strong partnership between the MoHUP and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources.

Sultan bin Mohammed al Ghafri (pictured), Director of Dhofar (MoHUP) told the Observer that the Ministry aims to harness the government’s agricultural and farming potential with a view to strengthening Dhofar’s contribution to national food security objectives. In the process, the local economy will be significantly boosted while employment generation efforts will get strong impetus as well, he said.

Al Ghafri said that the projects will help to increase the production of wheat and other food crops, thereby reducing the country's dependence on imports, while creating jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities in the agricultural sector.

Importantly, the MoHUP is committed to working with all stakeholders to achieve its food security goals. These partnerships are essential to ensuring that Oman has a sustainable and secure food supply for generations to come, he noted.

The signing of these contracts is a positive step towards achieving the goals of Oman Vision 2040, which aims to make Oman a self-sufficient country in food production.