The grape picking season has begun in the Wilayat of Yanqul in A'Dhahirah Governorate. The season, which lasts until the beginning of August, includes locally produced grapes, one of the summer fruits much sought after in local and traditional markets due to their outstanding quality and rich flavor.
According to Salim bin Suhail Al Alawi, Director of Yanqul's Agriculture and Water Resources Department, grapevines in the wilayat currently occupy around 13 acres, with approximately 2,600 grape trees of different local and imported kinds. These help to fulfill the governorate's requirement for grapes throughout the summer season, according to him.
He stressed that the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources offers grape farmers a variety of services, including technical supervision and advisory follow-ups on planting distances, trellis design, modern irrigation systems, pest control, and the provision of grape seedlings, as well as the scheduling of preventive spraying and fertilization.
He also noted that these services involve sharing farmers' knowledge and experiences with others in neighboring wilayats and governorates, providing a sustainable income stream for farmers while maximizing the governorate's resources. This includes modern irrigation methods and crop-specific watering to rationalize water use. He stated that these characteristics improve farmers' economic profits while conserving the cultural and agricultural legacy of crops that flourish in Oman's rich environment.
Meanwhile, Qais bin Nasser Al Farsi, owner of a local grape farming initiative in Yanqul, stressed the value of grape production in the wilayat. Having worked in commercial grape farming for over a decade and a half, he stated that grapevines need constant attention before the flowering and fruiting season, including soil preparation, fertilization, and routine irrigation.
In addition to local black and white grapes, Al Farsi stated that he has planted other grape types including Taifi, American, and Turkish, all of which are noted for their diversity and unique flavours.
