Oman's agricultural and food production sector covers 5.5 million acres of arable land—about 7.5 per cent of the country's total land area.
According to the Annual Report of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, the total agricultural holdings span 355,000 acres, with 312,000 acres under active cultivation.
Oman is home to 9.1 million date palms, a key crop in the country.
The country has 20 research centres, stations, and nurseries, plus 6 specialised honeybee units.
The sector employs approximately 256,000 workers. There are 3.2 million acres of natural pastures distributed across Oman.
Total agricultural and fisheries output reached 5.6 million tonnes, contributing significantly to national food security under Invest Oman.
The annual report reflects the results of a year of continuous work and sincere national efforts towards achieving the goals of sustainable development. The ministry's direction for the coming period is to increase agricultural and fisheries production, support small and medium enterprises, raise the self-sufficiency rate, focus on local content, optimise the utilisation of resources, and ensure food safety and quality.
The focus is also on strengthening the role of the private sector and implementing investment opportunities while increasing the gross domestic product.
"The agriculture, fisheries, and water resources sectors witnessed tangible progress this year in implementing strategic programmes and initiatives, in line with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 and enhancing the contribution of these sectors to economic diversification, raising production rates, and achieving local added value," states Dr Saud bin Hamoud al Habsi, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, in the annual report 2025.
He added that the ministry has also been paying great attention to adopting innovation and modern technologies, developing the service system, and improving the efficiency of resource use, especially water resources, in light of increasing climatic and environmental challenges, in order to ensure their sustainability for future generations.
This annual report highlights the strategic planning, the adoption of modern technologies, and the strengthening of partnerships with the public and private sectors.
"The ministry also worked to empower national talent and support quality initiatives and projects that contribute to raising productivity and enhancing local added value." In light of the accelerating environmental and climate challenges, the annual report noted that the ministry continued its efforts to ensure the optimal use of natural resources and enhance the efficiency of water management, contributing to achieving a balance between development requirements and preserving the environment for future generations.
The report reviews the most prominent initiatives, projects, and programmes implemented during the year, along with the indicators and results achieved in the ongoing journey towards developing the sector and enhancing its regional and international competitiveness.
Based on the data provided in the Fisheries Statistical Yearbook, there are more than 60,000 licensed fishing boats, 27,320 licensed commercial vessels, 36 licensed fishing vessels, 1,243 licences for transporting and marketing fish, 1,220 infrastructure and markets and existing fish markets, 24 existing ports, 62 existing fish processing plants, 119 fisheries establishments holding a quality control certificate, and 4,117 fish processing factories by the governorates. The total number of factories across the governorates is 110.
HIGHLIGHTS
1. Farming accounts for 7.5% of the country's total land area.
2. 9.1 million date palms, a key crop in the country.
3. 256,000 workers are employed in agriculture and related sectors.
4. 3.2 million acres of natural pastures distributed across Oman.
5. Total agricultural and fisheries output reached 5.6 million tonnes.
6. There are more than 60,000 licensed fishing boats, 27,320 licensed commercial vessels, and 36 licensed fishing vessels.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
