The grape fruit harvest season in North Al Sharqiyah Governorate began in mid-May and will continue until the end of July. Grape cultivation is prevalent in various regions of Oman, particularly in the mountainous areas with moderate summer temperatures. Grapes are resilient to low winter temperatures and thrive in moderate summer conditions.
According to Dr. Qais bin Saif Al-Ma'awali, the Director of the Agricultural Development Department at the General Directorate of Agricultural Wealth and Water Resources in North Al Sharqiyah Governorate, grape cultivation is widespread across several governorates in Oman. These include Dhofar, Al Dhahirah, Al Dakhiliyah, and the governorates of North and South Al Batinah, as well as North and South Al Sharqiyah. In Al Sharqiyah alone, the cultivated area is estimated to be around 200 acres, with a production of approximately 1,000 tons. This accounts for 4.2 percent of the annual local consumption, which is estimated to be 24 thousand tons. The economic return from grape cultivation in the Sultanate of Oman is estimated to be around OMR 1.5 million.
He stated that the Ministry of Agricultural Wealth, Fisheries, and Water Resources has placed special emphasis on the advancement of grape cultivation in the different governorates of the Sultanate of Oman. This has been achieved through the implementation of the model grape farms project in the Wilayat of Ibra, located in the North Al Sharqiyah Governorate. The objective of this project is to establish "10" model farms for grape production in the village of Al-Haymah, with a total area of "100" acres. Additionally, the Agricultural and Fisheries Development Fund has funded a project to enhance grape cultivation and production in the Sultanate of Oman. The aim of this project is to support the establishment of "25" economic grape fields for farmers across various governorates, covering a total area of "25" acres. Furthermore, two gene banks for the grape crop will be established in Jammah, within the Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, and Sohar, in the North Al Batinah Governorate.
According to statistical data for the year 2023, the total area of grape fields in North Al Sharqiyah Governorate is estimated to be "27" acres. The largest areas of grape fields in the governorate are found in Al Rawdah village in the Niyabat of Samad Al Shaan in the state of Al Mudhaibi, with a total area of approximately "10" acres in 2023. The growth index indicates a significant increase in the areas of grape fields in North Al Sharqiyah Governorate in the current year 2024, reaching "27" acres compared to "8" acres in 2012. This represents a growth rate of "237%" until the year 2023, highlighting the positive efforts being made to advance the agricultural, tourism, and economic sectors in North Al Sharqiyah Governorate.
It is important to highlight that in December 2023, the Ministry of Agricultural Wealth, Fisheries, and Water Resources entered into an agreement to fund the model grape farms project in the North Al Sharqiyah Governorate. This project is being financed by the Agricultural Development Fund and the Omani Fertilizer Company "OMIFCO". As per the agreement, a model investment farm for grapes, spanning an area of 100 acres, will be established. Out of this, five acres will be dedicated to tourism agriculture projects in collaboration with a specialized company.
The grape fields will be managed by farmers who possess expertise in grape cultivation and will adhere to good agricultural practices and modern techniques for growing and producing grapes. This agreement aims to support the development of model grape farms and enhance the food security system in the Sultanate of Oman. The agricultural field will utilize advanced technologies to cultivate various types of grapes.
