Latest news with #foodselfsufficiency
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
Oman surpasses food security targets as consumption hits $7bln
Muscat: Oman has made significant strides in enhancing food self-sufficiency, with domestic production now meeting — and in some cases exceeding — household demand across several key food categories. The progress comes as annual food consumption by Omani households surpasses OMR 3 billion, according to new data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). Dr Yusuf bin Mohammed Al Riyami, Director General of the NCSI, stated that the Sultanate has achieved high levels of self-reliance in essential food products, reflecting the success of national policies aimed at improving food security and reducing dependency on imports. Among the top-performing sectors, fish production reached 158% self-sufficiency, indicating not only that local demand is being met but also that Oman holds surplus capacity to support fish exports. Dates — a culturally and economically significant product — achieved 97% self-sufficiency, further cementing their place as a core component of Oman's food system. Milk and dairy products also performed strongly, reaching 92% self-sufficiency, thanks to continued investment in the livestock sector and food manufacturing infrastructure. Meanwhile, tomatoes — a key staple in local diets — recorded 83% self-sufficiency, driven by improvements in domestic agricultural output and the adoption of modern farming practices. These figures underline Oman's growing capacity to meet its own food needs, in line with the goals set under Vision 2040, which prioritises national resilience, economic diversification, and sustainable development. Officials credit government-led programmes in agri-tech, irrigation, and rural infrastructure as major drivers of this performance. As the food sector continues to expand, Oman's focus will remain on maintaining high production standards, improving supply chain efficiency, and supporting agricultural innovation — all of which are essential to building a secure and competitive food economy for the future. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Tune Protect and Sunway XFarms launch the ‘Grow & Give' initiative
Tune Protect volunteers kick off the 'Grow & Give' initiative, a strategic programme blending employee development with environmental and community impact. (Tune Protect pic) PETALING JAYA : Tune Protect Group Berhad has partnered with Sunway XFarms to launch the 'Grow & Give' initiative, a strategic programme that combines employee development with meaningful environmental and community impact. In this programme, employees gain hands-on experience in sustainable agriculture through hydroponic farming and contribute to the establishment of a community farm to promote food self-sufficiency among low-income communities. The 'Grow & Give' programme involving 240 Tune Protect volunteers, consists of four sessions, the first held in May, in which volunteers help support the Petaling Jaya-based Medan Jaya community, home to over 4,000 residents, many of whom face limited access to fresh and nutritious food. The initiative began with hands-on training at Sunway XFarms, where employees gained practical experience in urban farming, harvesting pesticide-free vegetables, and packing them for distribution to local beneficiaries. Utilising smart hydroponic farming technology, community farming is remarkably easy to maintain and uses up to 90% less water compared to traditional farming methods. The solar-powered system efficiently circulates water, providing crops with optimal hydration and nutrients, while offering residents an accessible and sustainable way to grow their own food long-term. This modern farming technique ensures consistent yields with minimal environmental impact. Koot Chiew Ling, chief strategy officer and chair of the Sustainability Committee Tune Protect Group said: 'We remain deeply attuned to the social disparities and environmental challenges shaping our world today. 'Through this initiative, we are not only raising awareness but taking meaningful action by delivering practical, ground level solutions in areas such as clean energy, water efficiency, food security, and waste reduction.' She said she hoped the initiative would inspire a ripple effect of positive change, one community, one farm, and one volunteer at a time, that supported both people and the planet for generations to come. Yuvasreetharan Muregesun, chief operations officer of Tune Protect (centre), with Norlizah Jaaman (left), secretary of the Medan Jaya Residents' Association, and Eleanor Choong (right), COO of Sunway XFarms. (Tune Protect pic) Driven by the sustainability vision 'In Tune for a Better Tomorrow', Tune Protect is committed to building a more resilient and sustainable future, targeting 6,000 volunteer hours from 2025 to 2027 with a focus on conservation and sustainability initiatives. The company is expected to achieve 1,200 volunteer hours upon the completion of the four sessions of the 'Grow & Give' programme this year, with the next three sessions to be held in July, September and November. The community farm is projected to yield over 240kg of fresh produce annually, providing residents with more than eight varieties of essential vegetables. The farm has prevented over 1,500 sq ft of deforestation, besides reducing three tonnes of carbon emissions, saving 56 tonnes of water, and avoiding 960 pieces of plastic from being used. Eleanor Choong, COO of Sunway XFarms, expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration. 'We are pleased to be able to build this community farm alongside Tune Protect, and we are excited to see the fruits of the residents' labour,' she said. Through this initiative, Tune Protect distributed 50 bags of fresh vegetables. Staff also led a clean-up drive in communal areas, collecting over 170 kilograms of recyclable waste, including paper, metal scraps, plastic, glass, and electronic waste. Norlizah Jaaman, secretary of the Medan Jaya Residents' Association said: 'Tune Protect and Sunway XFarms' contributions have empowered our community's economy, raising awareness on sustainable agriculture and recycling practices among the residents.' Tune Protect's collaboration with Sunway XFarms has shown how innovative partnerships can bring about significant change beyond the boardroom. The 'Grow & Give' initiative has shown how with every harvest and act of kindness, a more inclusive, empowered, and sustainable tomorrow comes into view. For more information on Tune Protect, visit their website. For more information on Sunway Xfarms, visit their website.
Free Malaysia Today
4 days ago
- Science
- Free Malaysia Today
Only 1 country fully self-sufficient without global food trade
Researchers are assessing food self-sufficiency of countries around the world if food imports and exports between countries suddenly stopped. (Envato Elements pic) PARIS : What would happen if food imports and exports between countries suddenly stopped? Researchers have looked at this hypothetical situation to assess the food self-sufficiency of countries around the world. According to their estimates, only one nation would be able to feed its population in seven food categories if this catastrophic scenario were to occur. Published in the journal Nature Food, the study was conducted by researchers from the University of Göttingen (Germany) and the University of Edinburgh (Scotland). They used data from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) to assess the ability of 186 countries to supply themselves with legumes, nuts and seeds, vegetables, fruit, starchy foods, dairy products, meat, and fish. Taking these seven major food categories into account, only one country on the list would be capable of self-sufficiency, ie, capable of providing food for its inhabitants across all seven categories without depending on other countries. This is Guyana, a South American country with a population of around 800,000. Next come China and Vietnam, which would be able to supply themselves with six out of seven food categories. Out of 186 countries, 154 can meet the requirements of two to five of the seven food groups. But overall, the picture is worrying. Only one country in seven is self-sufficient in five or more food groups. Most of these nations are located in Europe and South America. The other countries have low production and depend almost exclusively on a single trading partner for more than half of their imports. 'Low self-sufficiency and overdependence on a few countries for imports threaten their capability to respond to global shocks, particularly for small states,' the report stated. Worse still, some countries are unable to achieve self-sufficiency in any of the food groups studied. This is the case in Afghanistan, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Macao, Qatar, and Yemen. Establishing more resilient supply chains This finding is all the more alarming given the recent restrictions imposed by the United States since Donald Trump returned to power in January 2025. 'International food trade and cooperation is essential for healthy and sustainable diets. However, heavy reliance on imports from single countries can leave nations vulnerable. 'Building resilient food supply chains is imperative for ensuring public health,' cautioned the study's first author, Jonas Stehl, a researcher at the University of Göttingen, quoted in a news release. The need for nations to be self-sufficient is also crucial in tackling the climate crisis. While a large majority of European countries overproduce meat and dairy products, demand for these foods is very low in African countries. Less than half of countries produce enough foods such as beans and peas, as well as nuts and seeds, while only a quarter produce enough vegetables to meet domestic demand. 'Climate shocks are reshaping the agriculture sector and will continue to intensify. Open trade and innovation are essential to secure healthy, low-carbon diets,' said study co-author, Alexander Vonderschmidt, PhD researcher at the University of Edinburgh's Division of Global Agriculture and Food Systems.
