Oman seeks investors for 11 food projects

Oman is seeking investments of nearly $250 million (OMR96.12 million) for 11 agricultural and aquaculture projects as part of its drive to boost food self-sufficiency.

Five projects are on offer in the Al Najd agricultural zone in the southwestern part of the sultanate, the state-run Oman News Agency reported, quoting the ministry of commerce, industry and investment promotion. 

The projects include onion cultivation and processing, valued at OMR4.8 million, garlic cultivation (OMR2.3 million), cantaloupe cultivation (OMR2.1 million), greenhouse leafy vegetable cultivation (OMR1.6 million) and potato cultivation and processing (OMR5.5 million).

The five projects in the fisheries segment include seaweed cultivation (OMR2 million), abalone farming (OMR10 million), giant tiger prawn farming in Ras Madrakah (OMR32 million), whiteleg shrimp farming (OMR25) and tuna fattening in floating cages (OMR4.7 million).

Additionally, the minister is seeking investments of OMR3.8 million for a sustainable fish feed alternative manufacturing project in Samail Industrial City, 60km from Muscat.

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The focus is on building integrated opportunities across food security value chains, which will contribute to self-sufficiency, export growth and the creation of sustainable jobs, said Khalid bin Hamad Al Kharousi, director general of investment promotion at the ministry.

The portfolio is part of Oman’s strategy to strengthen food security in line with Vision 2040, he said.

This week, Dr Ahmed bin Nasser Al Bakri, undersecretary of the ministry of agriculture, fisheries and water resources said the country is targeting 400 food projects with investments of OMR400 million in 2026, the first year of the country’s 11th five-year plan.