Oman’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources (MoFAWR) has launched a project to boost local onion production. The move follows export restrictions by several countries, which significantly impacted Oman due to its reliance on imports. Currently, Oman imports 86% of its onion supply, about 91,320 tonnes annually, with local farms contributing only 14%.
Dr. Masoud al Azri, Director General of Marketing in Agriculture and Fisheries, announced a new agreement to cultivate onions on 621 acres in the Wilayat of Dhank, Al Dhahirah Governorate, expecting an annual yield of 700 tonnes. The Dhank Agricultural Production project has already started land preparation and supply procurement, aiming to increase domestic production and improve Oman’s self-sufficiency.
Additionally, an agreement with Nakheel Development Oman for the purchase and marketing of the crop is in progress, a vital step following the recent 300% surge in onion prices caused by India’s export halt, which supplies 44% of Oman’s onions.
