Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman has witnessed a remarkable increase in wheat production for the agricultural season 2022/2023. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources, the production has surged by an impressive 229 percent, reaching a total of 7,119,403 tonnes. This is a significant rise compared to the previous season (2021/2022) when the output was only 2,169.98 tonnes.
The statistics further reveal that the total land area dedicated to wheat cultivation during the 2022/2023 season has expanded to 6,359.35 acres, marking a substantial increase of 160 percent compared to the previous season. Additionally, the number of farmers has also witnessed a growth of 24 percent during the current season.
Among the governorates, Dhofar has emerged as the leading region in terms of cultivated area, accounting for 5,112 acres, which represents 80 percent of the total wheat cultivation in the Sultanate of Oman. Dhofar also takes the lead in wheat crop productivity at the governorate level, with a production of 5,940 tonnes, constituting 83 percent of the overall output.
Following closely, Al Dakhiliyah Governorate secures the second position in terms of area, with 779 acres dedicated to wheat cultivation, representing 12 percent of the total cultivated area in Oman. The governorate has produced 801 tonnes of wheat, contributing to 11 percent of the total output.
Ranking third, Al Dhahirah Governorate has allocated 245 acres for wheat cultivation, accounting for 4 percent of the total cultivated area. The governorate has achieved a production of 249 tonnes, which represents 3.5 percent of the overall output.
The Al Buraimi Governorate has a cultivated area of 33.25 acres, yielding a production quantity of 38,330 tonnes. In the North Al Batinah Governorate, the cultivated area spans 41.1 acres, with a production quantity of 35.87 tonnes. Moving on to the North Al Sharqiyah Governorate, the cultivated area reaches 66.5 acres, resulting in a production of 33,134 tonnes.
In the South Al Batinah Governorate, wheat cultivation covers 57 acres, producing 16.33 tonnes. The Musandam Governorate has a cultivated area of 13 acres, yielding 2.489 tonnes. Similarly, the South Al Sharqiyah Governorate has a cultivated area of 9.5 acres, with a production amounting to 2.350 tonnes. Lastly, Muscat has a cultivated area of 3 acres, producing 0.7 tonnes.
To support the food security system and promote small and medium enterprises and farmers, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources has partnered with the private sector. They have signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Oman Flour Mills Company to purchase locally grown wheat crops from Omani farmers during the harvest season. For the 2022/2023 season, the Oman Flour Mills Company has received approximately 5,000 tonnes from farmers.
