Saturday 07 / September / 2024
Salalah: Farmers in Najd area of Wilayat of Thumrait in Dhofar Governorate finished the wheat harvest process for the season 2022/2023 with an output of about 5,940 tonnes.
Eng. Said Musalam Al Kathiri, Director of Agriculture and Water Resources Department in Thumrait, said that the cultivable area this year was about 5,112 acres and the period of harvest on 81 farms continued for 77 days.
He said that efforts were being made by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources in cooperation with the Agriculture and Fisheries Development Fund and the Oman Agricultural Association in Dhofar Governorate to increase the wheat cultivated area at Najd Farms, emphasising on its economic and strategic necessity in the food security system.
He added that the Najd area in the Dhofar Governorate is considered one of the most promising areas for wheat cultivation due to reliable groundwater supply and fertile lands. The Ministry provides many incentives to encourage farmers to expand wheat cultivation and improve its quality by giving high quality seeds mainly (Wadi Qurayat 110, 308, 226 and 227, Jabrin and Koli) types.
He showed that 7 harvesters participated in the harvest process for this season which were provided by the Ministry in different Governorates funded by the Agriculture and Fisheries Development Fund. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources had signed a memorandum of cooperation with Oman Mills Company for the purchase of locally produced wheat from farmers.
It may be mentioned that on 31 May 2023, the Council of Ministers had approved a plan to produce local wheat by allocating OMR5 million until 2027, and signed usufruct land pacts in a number of governorates for its cultivation to achieve food security in the country.
