Oman has kicked off the 2025 wheat harvest season with promising indications of a robust yield, thanks to expanded cultivation initiatives and enhanced agricultural support. Harvesting activities, which began in late March, are set to continue through April and May, spanning several governorates including North Sharqiyah, Buraimi, Dhahirah, and Dakhliyah.
In the wilayat of Bahla, villages such as Al Ghafat, Al Jilah, Bilad Sayt, Saih al Maashi, and Wadi Quriyat have started their harvesting operations under the guidance of specialists from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources. An official from the ministry highlighted that just a week into the harvest, the season has already exhibited signs of high productivity and quality grain. “This is a testament to the ongoing commitment of farmers and the ministry’s initiatives to expand cultivated areas and enhance wheat production,” the official remarked.
The Najd region in Dhofar governorate is gaining attention as a key area for future wheat cultivation due to its ample farmland and groundwater resources. “The Najd area offers significant potential for sustainable agricultural development,” the official stated.
To bolster the sector, the government has implemented various measures, including the supply of fortified wheat seeds like Wadi Quriyat 110, 308, 226, and 227, as well as Jabreen and Koli varieties, along with modern harvesting equipment. New wheat harvesters have also been deployed with assistance from the Agricultural and Fisheries Development Fund.
Furthermore, the ministry has enhanced its partnership with the private sector. A recent memorandum of understanding with Oman Flour Mills Company ensures that the company will buy locally grown wheat from farmers at a price of RO500 per tonne. This agreement aims to incentivize farmers and boost national wheat production.
During the 2022-23 season, Oman produced 7,119 tonnes of wheat, a remarkable 229% increase from the previous year’s 2,169 tonnes. The area dedicated to wheat cultivation rose by 160% to 6,359 acres, and the number of farmers involved in the sector grew by 22%. Officials attribute this positive trend to a broader national strategy focused on enhancing food security and decreasing dependence on imports, positioning wheat as a strategic crop within the sultanate’s agricultural framework.
Source: Zawya
