Plan to expand rose cultivation area in Jabal Akhdar

Jabal Akhdar: The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources has begun implementing a project to raise the added value of the rose crop in the Wilayat of Jabal Akhdar in the Al Dakhiliyah Governorate.

The Agricultural and Fisheries Development Fund has allocated OMR150,000 for the project that will benefit 15 farmers and continue for two years

The project aims to collect primary data on rose cultivation and related industries in the state of Jabal Akhdar, in partnership with some small and medium enterprises in rose-related industries in the region, and to support the cultivation of rose on an additional 5 acres of land, in addition to supporting and introducing agricultural machinery and improving transactions.

The project aims to train 15 beneficiaries in the field of manufacturing of rose water products, and related industries.

Hanan bint Saeed Al-Sulaimiyah, Executive Director of the Agricultural and Fisheries Development Fund, explained that the implementation of the project to raise the added value of the rose crop has a number of objectives, including data for rose cultivation and related industries in the mountains.

In partnership with one of the small and medium enterprises in rose-related industries in Jabal Akhdar, it is also working to support institutions with machines for extracting rose oil.

The project also aims to support the cultivation of an additional 5 acres of local roses in Jabal Al Akhdar to expand its cultivation, especially in the old terraces, most of which have disappeared due to natural factors and neglect.

 To achieve this, work will begin by inventorying the sites designated for agriculture and then supporting farmers by rehabilitating them on terraces, distributing free seedlings for planting rose plants.

She explained that among the goals are introducing mechanisation to improve production in Jabal Akhdar and supporting farmers with small manual tillers and other accessories that are appropriate for the local environment. The type of mechanisation to be supported by farmers will be determined through the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources in Jabal Akhdar State, selecting the good and cooperative beneficiaries, and distributing machines to them.

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