The Agricultural and Fisheries Development Fund (AFDF) has worked to strike a balance between the projects it finances, aiming to enhance food security in the Sultanate of Oman while prioritising key initiatives for the sustainable development of the agricultural, livestock and fisheries sectors.
Agricultural, livestock and fisheries processing projects represent a crucial component of economic activity, adding value to primary and secondary products while creating employment opportunities for a broad segment of the national workforce.
Value-added services and post-production projects — such as sorting, packaging, preservation and processing — are particularly vital, especially during peak production seasons. These initiatives help ensure year-round food availability and contribute to price stability, benefiting both producers and consumers alike.
Agricultural Sector Contributions
Projects financed in the agricultural production sector have been classified into eight specialised areas, including the development of production systems. This area aligns with national efforts to enhance productivity per unit area and increase yields through advanced and efficient production techniques compared to traditional methods.
The fund has also supported projects focused on the conservation, maintenance and sustainable use of genetic resources, with total funding exceeding one million Omani rials.
Additionally, it has invested in integrated pest management through biological control, addressing key sector needs by mitigating the spread of agricultural pests that have historically impacted crop productivity.
Among the notable funded agricultural projects is the Grape Cultivation and Production Development Project, which has benefitted 25 farmers. Another significant initiative is the Coconut Production Improvement Project in Dhofar Governorate, which aims to combat pests that reduce yield, directly benefiting 745 farmers.
The AFDF has also supported the propagation of economically valuable fruit crops, including citrus fruits, mangoes and bananas, by providing 314,000 saplings. Moreover, a dedicated project has been launched to expand the cultivation and improve the quality of Omani wheat varieties, benefiting more than 4,000 farmers.
As a result of these agricultural initiatives, Oman has achieved 97 per cent self-sufficiency in date production, a key indicator guiding national projects towards closing food supply gaps for strategically important commodities within the country’s food security framework.
Livestock Sector Contributions
Since its establishment, the AFDF has funded 55 projects in the livestock sector, as of the end of 2023.
Key focus areas include improving the efficiency of red meat production from cattle and goats, supporting projects that enhance growth rates, optimise animal care and management, prevent disease outbreaks and introduce modern production methods.
The fund has also financed genetic improvement projects for indigenous Omani breeds, particularly the Al Jabal Al Akhdhar goat, recognising the importance of preserving local genetic resources.
By selecting and propagating animals with promising production traits, these initiatives aim to enhance breed performance and distribute improved livestock to farmers.
In support of food security within the livestock sector, the AFDF has facilitated the introduction of modern dairy production technologies, benefiting 100 livestock farmers in Dhofar Governorate alone.
Additionally, the fund has overseen a poultry disease and animal feed quality survey and a specialised project analysing antibiotic and hormone residues in poultry meat.
The latter successfully examined 1,050 poultry meat samples, providing precise food safety reports that help ensure the quality of locally consumed meat.
Through its targeted funding strategies, the AFDF continues to drive sustainable development across Oman’s agricultural and livestock sectors, reinforcing food security and economic stability for producers and consumers alike.
Agricultural, livestock and fisheries processing projects represent a crucial component of economic activity, adding value to primary and secondary products while creating employment opportunities for a broad segment of the national workforce.
The writer is Executive Director - Agricultural and Fisheries Development Fund
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