Latest news with #AlNajd
Times of Oman
03-08-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
MoU signed to enhance food security through sesame cultivation in Dhofar
Salalah: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Sunday at Salalah Free Zone between "Saifco," a food industry company operating in the zone, and the Dhofar Governorate branch of the Oman Agricultural Association. The agreement is for the cultivation of sesame in the Al Najd area, as part of efforts to support food security and enhance national value chains. This initiative is a joint cooperation programme between the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources, the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones, and the Salalah Free Zone. It aims to connect local agricultural production with the food industry and achieve the objectives of Oman Vision 2040. Under the agreement, Saifco commits to purchasing the sesame harvest from farmers in the first season, with plans for expansion in subsequent seasons. The project covers an area of 600 acres, benefiting 35 farmers with an estimated production of 300 tonnes in its first phase. This partnership seeks to reduce reliance on sesame imports and boost self-sufficiency to meet the needs of local food industries, particularly for tahini and halwa. Sesame is a suitable crop for the desert environment of the Al Najd area and is known for its multiple uses in the food, cosmetic, and medicinal industries, in addition to its high nutritional value. Dr. Ali Mohammed Tabuk, CEO of the Salalah Free Zone, affirmed that the initiative is part of the zone's efforts to enhance economic development by stimulating qualitative partnerships between investors and the local community. He added that the Salalah Free Zone aims to empower local production-based industries and support integrated value chains, thereby contributing to sustainable development in Dhofar Governorate and Oman as a whole. The project serves as a practical model of cooperation among government entities, free zones, and the private sector. It embodies the role of the Salalah Free Zone in supporting national projects that contribute to the development of local industries, the empowerment of SMEs, and the enhancement of self-sufficiency and sustainable growth.
Zawya
16-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman: Dhofar begins work on integrated agriculture hub in Najd
Salalah – Oman Agriculture Development Company has started construction of an integrated centre for the collection, sorting and marketing of agricultural products in the Al Najd area of Dhofar governorate. Developed in cooperation with the Najd Agricultural Development Office at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MAFWR), the facility aims to strengthen agricultural logistics and support farmers in the region. The centre will provide services including collection from local farms, cold storage, sorting, packaging and processing. These are expected to help improve product quality, minimise waste and open new market opportunities within and beyond Oman. Covering 4,300sqm, the centre will have an annual capacity of 50,000 tonnes. It will be the first of its kind in Al Najd, which is known for its large plains and suitable climate for growing fruits, vegetables and fodder. The project is part of efforts to boost Oman's food security and support small and medium-scale farmers who face challenges related to storage, transport and market access. According to officials, the projected is expected to get completed by the end of the second quarter of 2026. The initiative aligns with national strategies to develop rural economies, strengthen local food supply chains and modernise the agri-logistics network. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, in partnership with MAFWR, has announced plans to build three agricultural cities, each with an investment of RO1bn. The cities will be located in Saham in North Batinah, Dhahirah and Al Najd. Each will cover about 50sqkm and is designed to boost food production and create jobs. Work on the Saham and Najd sites began in 2024 after final designs were approved. The projects are expected to benefit over 43,000 people annually, add 2% to Oman's GDP. © Apex Press and Publishing Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
