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Observer
11-08-2025
- Business
- Observer
Olive sector grows to 20,000 trees, 83 tonnes in annual yield
MUSCAT: Across the mountains, particularly in Al Jabal Al Akhdhar and the Western Hajar range, olive trees thrive in a revitalised agricultural landscape that reflects the nation's ambitious vision for food security and diversified income. The journey began in the 1990s with the introduction of 10,000 saplings from various cultivars. Some varieties quickly adapted to local conditions, laying the groundwork for olive farming as a promising sector. Today, success is not only in cultivation but also in production. In 2022, Oman produced over 83 tonnes of olives and 10,000 litres of olive oil. Yet, demand far outstrips supply, with more than 24,000 tonnes of olives imported between 2020 and 2022 — underscoring the need to boost local output. Prof Rashid bin Abdullah al Yahyai Government bodies and institutions have supported farmers through free sapling distribution, training programmes and modern olive mills, increasing the number of trees to 20,000. Omani olive oil is now gaining regional and international recognition for its high quality and distinctive flavour. Sustainable growth, however, demands overcoming challenges — a mission championed by Prof Rashid bin Abdullah al Yahyai of the College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences. His project identifies optimal cultivation areas based on climate and water resources, introduces high-yielding varieties, and promotes best practices in pruning, irrigation and fertilisation. Innovation is also driving the sector forward. By-products such as olive leaves and pomace, often discarded, are being explored for transformation into value-added nutritional and functional products. Research aims to enhance processing efficiency and create sustainable economic solutions for operational hurdles. These efforts form a clear road map — not just towards self-sufficiency, but towards positioning Oman as a significant player in the regional olive market. In doing so, Oman enhances food security and bolsters its economy by fostering an innovative and sustainable agricultural sector.
Observer
20-04-2025
- Science
- Observer
Science festival to raise awareness of agriculture importance
Muscat, April 20 The 13th Scientific Agricultural Science Festival, organised by the Agricultural and Marine Sciences Group at the College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences at Sultan Qaboos University, kicked off in the university's Grand Hall on Sunday. The opening ceremony was held under the auspices of Her Highness Sayyidah Dr Mona bint Fahd al Said, Assistant Vice-Chancellor for International Cooperation at SQU. The festival will run until Tuesday, April 23. This year's festival is held under the theme "Mada: From the Depths of Roots to the Horizons", reflecting a renewed vision based on sustainability, innovation and a deep connection with nature and society. The festival is considered by students a prominent scientific and cultural platform aimed at raising awareness of the importance of the agricultural and marine sectors and their role in achieving the goals of Oman Vision 2040. Festival activities include scientific exhibitions, workshops and various interactive stations that merge science and art, presenting agricultural and environmental information in an engaging manner using visual, auditory and olfactory elements inspired by the Omani environment. This edition focuses on key themes that represent priorities in the agricultural and marine sectors, including food security, agricultural sustainability, modern agricultural technologies and biodiversity. These themes were carefully selected to address current environmental and economic challenges and highlight innovative and smart solutions that align with Oman's path toward sustainable development, emphasising the role of agriculture and the sea in balancing production with natural resource preservation. More than 120 students and researchers are participating this year across 25 teams representing school students, university students and postgraduate researchers. They are presenting in exhibition booths and competing in a scientific research competition aimed at discovering student talent and honouring the best projects that offer innovative and practical solutions in areas like food security, smart agriculture, biodiversity and the marine environment. The organising committee emphasised that the festival is open to the public, welcoming school and university students as well as anyone interested in agriculture, the environment and the sea. They noted that the primary goal of the festival is to simplify scientific concepts, connect them to real-life experiences, and present agriculture as a living science and a source of hope for a sustainable future. Engineer Sultan al Habsi, a participant in a project on agricultural tourism, stated that the festival is a valuable opportunity for entrepreneurs to showcase their ideas and initiatives to interested and specialised audiences. It also offers a chance to explore other projects and experiences that enrich knowledge and open doors for future collaboration. He added that his participation led to discovering several inspiring projects with which he hopes to collaborate in the future to expand his initiative. Al Habsi also highlighted the educational and interactive significance of such festivals for school and university students, as they allow close engagement with the concepts of agriculture, environment and sustainability. These experiences encourage students to present their ideas and develop their scientific and research skills, contributing to shaping their personalities and preparing them to play active roles in the future of Oman's agricultural and environmental sectors.
