MUSCAT, OCT 27
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MoAFWR), in line with the implementation of the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 and the promotion of local and foreign investment in priority sectors, will establish the Food Security Laboratory, under the auspices of Shaikh Ghosn bin Hilal al Alawi, Chairman of the State Financial and Administrative Audit Institution, on November 1 at the Mandarin Hotel.
The establishment of the two-week-long laboratory which will come to an end on November 13, is an extension of the laboratories implemented during the Tenth Five-Year Plan, and a continuation of national efforts aimed at promoting investment in food security projects and providing a stimulating environment to attract and localise investments, in line with the objectives of the Eleventh Five-Year Plan. Additionally, the Electronic Agricultural Census Project will be launched at the opening ceremony of the laboratory.
The Food Security Lab is a national initiative organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources in collaboration with the Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit with the objective to build a self-sufficient, integrated, and sustainable food system.
Designed as a key programme under Oman Vision 2040 Investment & Localisation pillar, the Lab focuses on attracting private sector investments, developing agricultural cities and nurseries, and localising parts of Oman's multi-billion-rial food import bill with the aim of reducing reliance on overseas imports and is targeting at plant production, livestock, fisheries, water resources, digital services, and food safety and quality.
“Given the importance of the laboratory in supporting the Sultanate of Oman's directions towards enhancing investment in food security sectors, and the initiatives and projects it encompasses, the laboratory's most prominent activities include promoting investments in this area and developing the sector,” said a ministry representative.
“Additionally, an effort to highlight the development and growth witnessed in the agricultural sector, its efforts and initiatives and achievements in various sectors, and the projects based on the Sultanate of Oman's orientation towards achieving food security and supporting economic diversification will be the core areas of the Lab.”
According to him, the last edition of the Food Security Lab held in 2025 was able to finalise initiatives and projects valued at approximately RO 37.2 million, and resulted in 31 enabling initiatives, 27 investment projects, and 62 newly identified opportunities across agriculture and water sectors.
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