SUHAR: Tropical fruit cultivation continues to gain momentum in Oman as more farmers demonstrate the adaptability of exotic crops to Oman's climate while creating commercially viable agricultural enterprises.
Among these success stories is a papaya farm in Suhar, where a small-scale experiment has evolved into a thriving business with thousands of trees and an annual production reaching up to 50 tonnes.
Farmer Khalid bin Mohammed al Qamshoui said his journey into papaya cultivation began with a personal passion for the fruit and a simple trial involving a small number of seedlings.
Al Qamshoui said, "I have always loved papaya, so I started by planting a few seedlings to see how they would perform. They proved highly tolerant to the heat and produced exceptionally well. That success encouraged me to expand the project, beginning with around 2,000 seedlings."
The project has since grown significantly, with the farmer expanding the cultivated area and increasing the number of trees each year.
"This year I expanded the project further and increased the number of seedlings," he said. "I plan to continue expanding over the coming years. Today, I have between 5,000 and 6,000 papaya trees planted across nearly eight feddans of farmland. I cultivate several varieties, including the Taiwanese Red Lady, Chinese Red Lady, and a Bangladeshi variety."
According to Al Qamshoui, annual production currently ranges between 15 and 50 tonnes, depending on seasonal conditions and crop performance.
He attributed the farm's success to continuous monitoring and teamwork, stressing that maintaining tree health requires close attention throughout the growing season.
"I work alongside my brothers, and one of my cousins supports us with marketing and technical advice," he said. "Whenever we encounter a disease or any issue affecting the trees, we carefully inspect each tree individually. Success in farming depends on constant follow-up and early intervention. While it is impossible to prevent every disease, we have managed to keep them under control."
The farmer noted that papaya has become one of the most economically rewarding crops on his farm, supported by growing consumer demand both within Oman and across the Gulf region.
"Papaya is a profitable crop, and consumers are increasingly looking for it," Al Qamshoui said. "After participating in the Suhar Bazaar, demand increased noticeably. We now receive customers from the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar, who visit the farm and purchase large quantities of the fruit."
The experience reflects the growing potential of tropical fruit cultivation in Oman as farmers continue to diversify agricultural production and explore high-value crops capable of strengthening food security while creating new investment opportunities.
Rising regional demand for locally grown tropical fruits also highlights the sector's potential to contribute to agricultural sustainability and rural economic development.
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