Second phase of turmeric cultivation project continues in Dhofar

Salalah: The second phase of “turmeric” cultivation project continues in the Dhofar Governorate, funded by the Agricultural and Fisheries Development Fund, and implemented by the Directorate General of Agricultural, Fisheries and Water Resources in the Dhofar Governorate.

The project was launched on April 22, 2022 for a period of 3 years, at a cost of 50 thousand Omani riyals, and it targets four wilayats in the Dhofar Governorate, namely: Salalah, Taqa, Rakhyut and Dhalkut.

Engineer Radwan bin Abdullah Al Ibrahim, Director of the Agricultural Development Department at the General Directorate of Agricultural, Fisheries and Water Resources in Dhofar Governorate, project manager, said about the reasons for choosing Dhofar Governorate to settle turmeric cultivation: Seasonal agriculture represents part of the economic income of the mountain population, and one of the most important seasonal crops in the Dhofar Mountains is cowpea ( Dajar), white corn, and maize (Mahindo). Lemon trees, fava beans, sugar cane, and some vegetables are also grown for daily consumption.

He added: Recently, some initiatives have emerged by some citizens, with personal diligence, in cultivating some distinctive crops of its kind. berries, cherries, and turmeric), and it is hoped to develop crops (cardamom, mushrooms, strawberries, saffron, ginger, and grapes).

All of these justifications and indicators motivate and encourage the settlement of turmeric cultivation in the Dhofar Governorate as a distinctive and value-added crop due to its economic value, health benefits, and high demand for it, in addition to the ease of dealing with it in cultivation and its modest water needs.

The cultivated area during the first season (2022) is estimated at 5,770 square meters, with a production quantity of six tons, and the sales volume amounted to 9,000 Omani riyals for 21 beneficiaries of turmeric farmers.

While the cultivated area in the second season (2023) amounted to 17,500 square meters, with an expected production quantity of 25 tons, and sales volume is expected to reach 37,000 Omani riyals for 55 beneficiaries. Where the total number of beneficiaries reached 76 during the first and second seasons, at the level of the targeted states.