Integrated livestock farming and meat production project launched in Al Suwaiq
MUSCAT: Seeking to contribute to food security goals in North Al Batinah Governorate, Omani entrepreneur Hamood Al Mahrazi has launched an integrated livestock farm and meat production facility in the Wilayat of Al Suwaiq aimed at producing premium-quality meat from a mix of local and international livestock breeds.
The venture, which employs advanced farming technologies, is supported by a farm with a capacity of 1,250 head of livestock annually. The facility blends Omani traditions with global expertise to ensure high standards in animal care, hygiene, and meat quality.
'Our project combines Omani authenticity with global expertise,' said Hamood al-Mahrazi, owner of the initiative. 'We rely on the latest technologies to ensure meat quality and safety, contributing to the sustainability of Oman's agricultural sector.'
The project is expected to help meet growing domestic demand and reduce reliance on meat imports, aligning with national goals under Oman Vision 2040.
'The expected production capacity will reach 1,250 head annually,' Al-Mahrazi added. 'This reflects our commitment to fulfilling local demand and boosting the supply of high-quality meat.'
The farm incorporates modern technologies across all stages of the process, including advanced feeding systems, specialised veterinary care, and state-of-the-art meat processing facilities.
The project is part of an ongoing drive by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources aimed at fostering entrepreneurial opportunities for Omanis in the fields of crop and livestock farming and meat production, among other related sectors, across the Sultanate of Oman.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
9 hours ago
- Observer
MoC inked to fund employment programme
MUSCAT: The Ministry of Labour (MoL) on Wednesday signed a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) with 'Security and Safety Services Corporation' to the tune of RO 1,207,300 to provide employment-linked training for 923 Omani job-seekers. The MoC was signed by Sayyid Salim bin Musallam al Busaidy, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Labour for Human Resources Development, and Said bin Sulaiman al Asmi, CEO of Security and Safety Services Corporation. The MoC explores suitable job vacancies for the job-seekers, identify necessary skills, supervise the performance of the trainees, check their dedication to quality standards and assess the extent to which they gain insights from the training programme. The MoC stipulates the preparation of periodic reports to measure the success of the project, monitor common challenges and propose development plans. It provides training for Omani job-seekers in the field of fisheries-related security, safety and control, and equipping them with the skills necessary to perform their job duties. — ONA
Observer
11 hours ago
- Observer
Reviving Sur's commercial identity requires urgent overhaul
Sur, once a vibrant commercial centre along Oman's eastern coast, is losing its economic character. Decades of unregulated growth, poor zoning, and scattered investments have blurred the town's identity, weakening its appeal to investors, businesses, and residents. In the 1980s and 1990s, Old Sur Market and nearby districts such as Harat Al-Teenah and Jabal Al-Eid thrived with retail shops, showrooms, and trade activity. But the momentum has slowed. Commercial sprawl has replaced strategic planning. The result: oversupply, disorganised business activity, and a lack of functional zoning. The root of the problem lies in years of unchecked issuance of residential-commercial land titles, leading to a flood of retail outlets across both main and internal roads. This has inflated supply, caused overlap in business types, and undermined efforts to build a cohesive commercial ecosystem. Today, car washes operate next to restaurants, barbers, clinics, and salons in the same building—confusing for consumers and damaging to the area's economic image. A ROADMAP FOR RENEWAL To restore Sur's economic position and align with Oman Vision 2040's emphasis on local development, the following actions are essential: 1. Establish a commercial corridor: A structured commercial zone should extend from the Sur Industrial Area to Old Sur Market, passing through key areas including Harat Al-Noor, Jabal Al-Eid, Harat Al-Teenah, and Sur Club. This axis should anchor major commercial activity and guide future development. 2. Create a unified economic identity: Commercial activities must be aligned with zoning priorities. Large and medium-sized businesses should be grouped together. Mixed-use buildings should avoid housing unrelated services—such as car washes, food outlets, and salons—in the same premises. Visual coherence and business compatibility are key. 3. Upgrade infrastructure: Adequate parking is lacking in busy areas like Harat Al-Teenah, where banking and service centres cluster. Flooding during rain disrupts commercial movement due to poor drainage. Planned upgrades to parking, access roads, and water management are urgently needed. 4. Zone activities by scale and function: Not all business types belong on main roads. Small-scale or secondary enterprises should operate within internal neighbourhoods, while high-traffic roads should host anchor tenants and investment-ready companies. This ensures sustainability and investor confidence. 5. Revive Old Sur Market: The historic market can be transformed into a cultural and economic destination. New small and medium businesses, artisan markets, and themed areas—such as a Gold Souq or Travel District—can attract footfall and restore its relevance. Models like 'Souq Al Hareem' show how defined identity supports commercial success. 6. Form a dedicated planning task force: A professional team should oversee commercial regulation and support property owners. Many, such as those in Harat Al-Teenah, have faced years-long delays in resolving basic planning issues. The task force should streamline permits, resolve grievances, and foster public-private cooperation. A VISION 20240 IMPERATIVE Reviving Sur's commercial core is not just a local concern—it is a national one. As Oman prioritises governorate-level development under Vision 2040, towns like Sur must build competitive, structured economies. A cohesive commercial front, functioning infrastructure, and vibrant markets are critical assets. It is time to move from unplanned expansion to strategic renewal. With the right vision and coordination, Sur can reclaim its place as a thriving commercial hub. Mohammed bin Issa al Balushi The author is a Media Consultant specialising in economic affairs
Observer
11 hours ago
- Observer
Oman a prime location for e-ammonia production: Yamna
MUSCAT: The Sultanate of Oman's potential to become a regional powerhouse in e-ammonia production has been reaffirmed by a top executive at Yamna, a clean energy investment firm collaborating with major international players to develop a gigawatt-scale green hydrogen project in Dhofar Governorate. Abdelaziz Yatribi, CEO of UK-based Yamna, stated in a recent interview that Oman's natural, infrastructural, geostrategic, and regulatory advantages make it an ideal destination for e-ammonia investment. 'Oman offers exceptional solar and wind resources, resulting in one of the lowest levelised costs of electricity (LCOE) – a critical factor in green hydrogen and ammonia production. Additionally, the Omani government's proactive approach, particularly through Hydrogen Oman (Hydrom), provides a supportive framework for green hydrogen and its derivative projects,' Yatribi said in an interview featured in an in-house report of Eiffel Investment Group, a leading European third-party asset manager. Last year, Yamna, along with consortium partners EDF Group and J-POWER, was awarded a 341 km² land block in Dhofar Governorate to develop, build, own, and operate a large-scale green ammonia project with an annual production capacity of 1 million tonnes. The project will integrate approximately 4.5 GW of renewable energy capacity and a 2.5 GW electrolyser, supplying hydrogen to an ammonia plant to be established in the Salalah Free Zone. Yamna's strategy, according to Yatribi, centres on producing the world's most cost-competitive green molecules – hydrogen and ammonia – in locations where renewable resources are both abundant and economical. 'Ammonia serves as an efficient carrier for hydrogen, facilitating its transport to global markets. It is a well-established commodity with over a century of production and transportation history, which significantly reduces technology and infrastructure risks. By leveraging existing ammonia infrastructure, we can accelerate the global deployment of green hydrogen solutions, particularly in markets with decarbonisation imperatives and limited domestic access to competitively priced green molecules,' he explained. Traditionally used in fertilizer production and industrial processes, the demand for e-ammonia is expected to grow substantially over the next 5 to 10 years, Yatribi noted. This growth will also be driven by its emerging role as a hydrogen carrier and low-carbon maritime fuel. In countries like Japan and South Korea, government-backed initiatives support the use of e-ammonia in power generation and industrial applications. Likewise, increasing interest in ammonia as a marine fuel is prompting the development of stringent safety protocols, supported by successful bunkering trials and forthcoming guidelines from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), he added. Yatribi also emphasised Yamna's commitment to delivering a global portfolio of export-oriented e-ammonia projects, currently planned in Brazil, India, Morocco, and Oman. 'We envision e-ammonia playing a central role in the global energy transition. Beyond replacing fossil-based ammonia in traditional uses, e-ammonia will serve as a key enabler for decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors, including power generation and maritime shipping,' he said, adding: 'With continued technological innovation and supportive policies, we believe e-ammonia will become a cornerstone of a sustainable, low-carbon future.'
