Oman’s Food Self-Sufficiency Reaches 67.3%: Minister Reviews Sector Growth

Oman’s Food Self-Sufficiency Hits 67.3% as Agriculture Output Reaches 5.6 Million Tonnes

Muscat: The Shura Council today hosted by Dr. Saud bin Hamoud Al Habsi, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, during its regular session of the third annual sitting of the tenth term to discuss the ministry’s statement across several key axes related to strengthening Oman’s food and water security system, highlighting sector achievements, and outlining future strategic directions.

The minister said the statement reviews the performance of the agricultural, fisheries and water resources sectors during the Tenth Five‑Year Development Plan, the achievements and indicators realised, as well as the strategic directions, programs and projects planned under the Eleventh Plan, in alignment with national targets.

The minister pointed out that agricultural and fisheries production increased from 4.3 million tons in 2020 to 5.6 million tons in 2025, a growth rate of 6.9 percent, reflecting an expansion of the production base. The sectors’ contribution to GDP rose to RO 1,132 million, up from RO 776 million in 2020, a growth of 7.9 percent, while their share of GDP increased from 2.3 percent to 2.9 percent, underscoring their economic significance.

He said that the food self-sufficiency rate reached 67.3 percent, with notable improvements across basic commodity groups. Self-sufficiency rates stood at 146 percent for fish, 99 percent for milk, 95 percent for table eggs, 79 percent for vegetables, 62 percent for white meat, 45 percent for red meat, and 24 percent for fruits excluding dates.

The agricultural sector has extensive resources for expansion, the minister said. Cultivated land area stands at 312,000 acres, with more than 9.1 million palm trees. The livestock population is estimated at 4 million heads, supported by 69 government veterinary clinics, 41 mobile clinics and a veterinary hospital.

He added that the fisheries sector employs more than 60,000 Omani fishermen and comprises 27,320 fishing boats, 1,243 vessels, 62 markets, 119 factories and 24 ports, forming an integrated system that strengthens value chains and enhances production and marketing efficiency.

On the water resources sector, the minister noted significant infrastructure development. A total of 85 groundwater recharge dams have been built and commissioned with a combined capacity of 110,331 cubic metres, alongside 116 million surface storage dams with a million capacity of 0.624 cubic metres and seven protective dams with a capacity of 247,730 million cubic metres. A water monitoring network of 3,483 stations has also been established, including 672 remote-operated stations and 14 cloud-seeding stations, enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of water resource management.

He said the Tenth Five‑Year Development Plan (2021‑2025) saw strong investment growth, with 493 usufruct contracts signed at a total value of RO 1.87 billion based on feasibility studies. Investments grew by 39 percent in fisheries, 20.7 percent in water, and 19 percent in agriculture and livestock, exceeding targets and reflecting the sectors’ attractiveness and ability to draw investment.

The minister pointed out that food industry exports reached RO 753 million, achieving 106 percent of the target, while fish exports stood at RO 209 million, achieving 127 percent. Agricultural and livestock exports reached RO 285 million, achieving 96 percent of the target, underscoring the sectors’ growing export capacity, he added. The local content rate reached 63 percent, represented by 35 agricultural and livestock industrial projects and 28 fish processing plants, with investments exceeding RO 100 million.

He added that per capita water share reached 369 cubic meters, achieving 90 percent of the target, while the wastewater treatment rate stood at 98 percent. In employment, the sectors provided significant job opportunities: Omani workers in food security sectors numbered 51,283, those in technical and specialized positions 1,220, and self-employed workers rose to 48,789, enhancing the sectors’ role in supporting the national labor market.

The minister explained that during the Tenth Five‑Year Plan, 37 programs were implemented with advanced completion levels, including infrastructure projects such as nine dams built at a cost of RO 149 million, maintenance of 75 dams, and maintenance and rehabilitation of 12 ports at a cost of RO 14.4 million. The strategic food reserve was strengthened with new grain silos of 160,000 tons capacity.

The minister confirmed that under the Eleventh Five‑Year Plan, the ministry is moving into a new phase built on past achievements, focusing on maximizing economic returns, raising the sectors’ contribution to GDP, expanding the investment base, creating jobs, developing strategic programs for food security and sustainable resource management, accelerating technological transformation, and improving service quality through digital governance.

He also affirmed the vital role played by government companies, private sector enterprises and relevant associations as essential partners in supporting the food security system through investment, production, marketing and awareness‑raising.

This reflects a participatory national approach that enhances the integration of roles and the achievement of goals. He expressed his gratitude to all partners from various government and private entities, associations, farmers, livestock breeders and fishermen who have contributed to strengthening the food security system in all its components.

The minister concluded by emphasizing the importance of developing policies and adapting and engineering procedures to improve implementation efficiency, thereby ensuring the maximization of the impact of programs and projects.

He stressed the need to continue working to support the food security system, enhance sustainability, stimulate investment opportunities and improve resource use efficiency in a manner that achieves the national interest and the national development goals of the Sultanate of Oman. The session was attended by Khalid bin Hilal Al Maawali, Chairman of the Shura Council, along with their members and the Secretary-General of the Council.