MUSCAT: Attention is increasingly turning to the next phase of Oman’s food and water security development, with growing focus on improving resource efficiency, accelerating the adoption of modern technologies, and enhancing value creation across productive sectors to support long-term sustainability.
Speaking at the Majlis Ash’shura on Sunday during its regular session of the third annual sitting of the tenth term to discuss the ministry’s statement across several key axes related to strengthening Oman’s food and water security system, Dr Saud bin Hamoud al Habsi, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, said the coming phase will focus on accelerating technical and digital transformation, strengthening the sustainable management of natural resources, and improving implementation efficiency to maximise the impact of programmes and projects, reflecting a broader shift toward more efficient models of food and water management.
He stated that expanding the investment base, generating employment opportunities, and accelerating technical and digital transformation in ways that improve efficiency and raise added value.
In this context, Khuwaidam al Maashani, Member of the Majlis Ash’shura representing Taqah, pointed to the importance of developing the fisheries sector into a more integrated productive and industrial system with higher added value, capable of generating wider growth opportunities and employment, while benefiting from artificial intelligence and modern technologies to improve sector performance and competitiveness.
Meanwhile, Abdulaziz al Balushi, Member of the Majlis Ash’shura representing Ibri, highlighted the importance of expanding sustainable water management solutions, including the use of solar-powered well systems, alongside strengthening agricultural infrastructure, protecting productive land, and developing more efficient tools for managing water resources in farming areas.
Ali Ghuwas, Member of the Majlis Ash’shura representing Thumrait, also pointed to the importance of creating a more enabling environment for agricultural projects in a way that supports operational sustainability, strengthens farmers’ stability, and helps improve productivity in support of Oman’s broader food security goals.
The discussions reflect a growing focus on building a more integrated system that combines innovation, sustainability and better resource management, while maximising the economic and social value of Oman’s food and water sectors.
On Oman’s phase of development in agriculture, fisheries and water resources that is expected to place greater emphasis on expanding investment, increasing economic returns and creating broader employment opportunities linked to productive sectors, Younis al Siyabi, Member of the Majlis Ash’shura representing Samayil, pointed to the importance of clarifying the nature of newly created jobs in food security-related sectors, their sustainability and quality, and the need to strengthen opportunities linked to production, manufacturing and technical professions, making them more attractive and stable for Omani youth.
Abdullah al Malik, Member of the Majlis Ash’shura representing Bukha, highlighted the importance of moving beyond traditional financial support models toward a more integrated investment and production system capable of strengthening economic contribution, supporting long-term sector growth and enhancing added value across productive industries.
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