Sunday 08 / June / 2025
Sohar: Cultivation of crops is important to meet the country's food needs. Perhaps field crops are the most important, which are supported by various programmes of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.
The Governorates of North and South Al Batinah are the most important governorates in growing field crops, accounting for 34% of the total cultivated areas in the Sultanate.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is striving to implement many programmes and activities to improve the agricultural sector and exploit available natural agricultural resources to improve production of various crops.
Eng. Salim bin Ali Al Omrani, Director-General of Agriculture and Livestock in the Governorates of North and South Al Batinah, said that the wheat crop is one of the most important agricultural crops, which enjoys a subsidy from the government. It is also considered an inherited agricultural heritage, relied upon by parents and grandparents in their daily lives, and citizens must preserve this legacy and adopt appropriate ideas to increase productivity, as well as the quantity, according to the available resources."
He explained that the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries aims to increase the cultivated area of this important crop and spread it through the exploitation of modern technologies, especially modern irrigation techniques, machinery and equipment used in agriculture and harvesting operations, as well as in providing improved seeds with high productivity.
In addition, attention should be given to the awareness and technical aspects to achieve the planned goals of the programme, which includes cultivating improved Omani varieties of the wheat crop, which are recommended for planting improved seeds and its importance in wheat cultivation, as it is the basis of the agricultural process through Omani agricultural research efforts to produce varieties with high quality and productivity.
He added that one of the most important varieties of wheat to be cultivated this season is "Wadi Quriyat 110, 226", in addition to the cultivation of other local improved varieties. He said that the project aims to grow about 200 acres of wheat, which is expected to produce some 250 tonnes in both governorates. He also said that the average productivity per acre is expected to be 1,200 kgs, which is a good rate, compared to the level of climate challenges and environmental factors.
About 20 barley fields, 28 fields of maize, and other fields for Fenugreek, broad beans and cow beans, will be distributed due to their importance for daily use by Omanis, in addition to the demand for high quality crops by neighbouring countries.
Eng. Al-Omrani mentioned the honeybees programme, which is an important aspect in the Governorates of North and South Al Batinah, in providing honey and opening wide areas for beekeepers and those interested in beekeeping. He added that special attention is given to women in the countryside, where 53 land plots were given to them, in addition to 104 land plots for the program for the development of beekeeping in 2016. He hoped that the program would see land plots given to beekeepers, as honey bees are enjoying a widespread reputation at the international level and obtaining important certificates in international forums.
The results of the agricultural census 2012/2013 showed that the Governorates of North and South Al Batinah are leading the agricultural and livestock sectors, which makes up the real agricultural weight in the Sultanate, as these areas account for 37% of the total cultivated area in the Sultanate, along with 80% of the total planted vegetable crops in the country. This is due to the Governorates of North and South Al Batinah enjoy temperate climates and slightly lower temperatures, in addition to large areas of land that are suitable for the cultivation of most agricultural crops.
