Oman pushes wheat production to fortify food security

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MAFWR) is actively advancing wheat cultivation across the sultanate as part of a broader strategy to enhance food security.

Recent data shows Oman harvested 7,119 tonnes of wheat cultivated on 6,359 acres in the 2022-23 farming season.

Yahya Hamdan al Saadi, head of Horticultural Crops in MAFWR, informed that the initiative to augment wheat cultivation and quality with improved local varieties is pivotal for Oman’s food security objectives. “The ministry is set to ensure a steady supply of 54 tonnes of superior quality seeds on subsidy to farmers each year, bolstering yield and encouraging continuous wheat production.”

The initiative includes three stages: acquisition of advanced planting and harvesting machinery, training for automated harvesters, and a commitment to provide 54 tonnes of enhanced quality wheat seeds annually. Additionally, MAFWR offers a wheat harvesting service to farmers for free.

According to Saadi, six state-of-the-art wheat harvesters were deployed in the 2022-23 season, offering cost-free harvesting services to wheat cultivators. A trial has also been conducted to explore cost-effective cultivation of wheat seeds.

In terms of yield and cultivation area, Dhofar governorate stands out, accounting for 80% of the cultivated wheat area and 83% of Oman’s total wheat production with 5,940 tonnes produced from 5,112 acres.

MAFWR has laid out a five-year plan, with an investment of RO5mn, aiming to sustain and scale wheat production through 2027. This plan is a cornerstone in Oman’s strategy to consolidate its food security infrastructure and fulfil the aspirations of Oman Vision 2040.

Tags: wheat, food security, Oman