Sunday 17 / November / 2024
Come September and October, bright green and pink pomegranates are seen everywhere in Jabal Al Akhdar which is moored high up in Oman's central Hajar mountain range. It is for this reason, coupled with breath-taking views offered by the mountaintop, that locals, expats and tourists from GCC countries make it a point to visit the spectacular mountain region in September as it is the peak season for pomegranates.
During September and October, Jabal Al Akhdar transforms into a fruit paradise with the full-blown goodness of luscious fruits — pomegranates, grapes, strawberries, raspberries, pears, apricots, plums, peaches, figs, walnuts and almonds, among others. But it is the pomegranate that stands tall among other fruits. It is also the most valuable source of income for farmers in these mountains.
“Farmers start caring for the tree from January and in May, they irrigate it about five to seven times up to the end of September,” said the Ministry of Information. “Irrigation discontinues from mid-November to the end of January to give the tree the opportunity to for the land to rejuvenate during the next season. Pomegranate trees are quite common in Wadi Bani Habib, Saiq, Al Sharija, Al Ayeena, Al Aqr, Hail Al Yemen, Al Manakhir, Qutnah, Al Sograh and Al Qasha’a villages.
"They’re sold at about OMR 2 to 3 per kilo, while individual pieces if bought begin at prices of just half a Rial, depending on the the size of the crop and the strength of the demand. The demand for Al Jabal Al Akhdar’s pomegranate by tourists have been growing over the past year."
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The Oman News Agency added to this: “Al Jabal Al Akhdar, the Green Mountain, witnesses an increasing turnout from locals, visitors and tourists as the season of pomegranate harvest kicks off to have regional and international tourists flock to explore its pleasant climate, mountain ranges, farms, aflaj and heritage houses over the weekends and holidays.
“Well known for its natural beauty and friendly and generous people, Al Jabal Al Akhdar`s semi-Mediterranean climate is conducive to grow some rare fruits, such as pomegranate, figs, pear, grapes, lemon, almond and olives,” said the state-run news agency.
Commenting on this, Khalil Al Toubi, director of Tourism Administration at the Governorate of A'Dakhliyah said that harvest attracts a big turnout of visitors and tourists who love to enjoy the breath taking beauty of nature.
“Accordingly, hotel occupancy rate soars at all hotel facilities that provide world class services and products that are tailor made to fulfil the needs and requirement of all age groups. There are varied destinations that satisfy nature lovers, climbing enthusiasts.”
To protect Omani farmers and ensure that they are able to successfully and sustainably grow their crops on the Green Mountain, the Ministry of Social Development has set up the Omani Association for Pomegranate Farmers in Jabal Al Akhdar.
The objectives of the association are to — according to the ministry — “solve and overcome any hindrance and problems that face farmers of pomegranate who are members in the association, adopt modern technology and collectively provide agricultural equipment, instruct the farmers to follow the best agricultural processes and organise the pomegranate orchards agriculture and Provide the advanced agricultural equipment and using them by the pomegranate farmers, among others.”
