Sunday 10 / May / 2026
Muscat: The Shura Council hosted Dr. Saud bin Hamoud Al Habsi, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources on Sunday.
The performance of the agricultural, fisheries and water resources sectors during the Tenth Five‑Year Development Plan was reviewed, the achievements and indicators realised, as well as the strategic directions, programmes 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 tonnes in 2020 to 5.6 million tonnes in 2025, a growth rate of 6.9 percent, reflecting an expansion of the production base.
The sectors’ contribution to GDP rose to OMR1.132 billion, up from OMR776 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 dates, 96 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 head, 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 million cubic metres, alongside 116 surface storage dams with a capacity of 0.624 million 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 OMR1.87 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 OMR753 million, achieving 106 percent of the target, while fish exports stood at OMR209 million, achieving 127 percent. Agricultural and livestock exports reached OMR285 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 OMR100 million.
He added that per capita water share reached 369 cubic metres, 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 specialised positions 1,220, and self‑employed workers rose to 48,789, enhancing the sectors’ role in supporting the national labour market.
The minister explained that during the Tenth Five‑Year Plan, 37 programmes were implemented with advanced completion levels, including infrastructure projects such as nine dams built at a cost of OMR149 million, maintenance of 75 dams, and maintenance and rehabilitation of 12 ports at a cost of OMR14.4 million. The strategic food reserve was strengthened with new grain silos of 160,000 tonnes 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 maximising economic returns, raising the sectors’ contribution to GDP, expanding the investment base, creating jobs, developing strategic programmes 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 emphasising the importance of developing policies and adapting and engineering procedures to improve implementation efficiency, thereby ensuring the maximisation of the impact of programmes 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 the members and the Secretary‑General of the Council.
The Shura Council held 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.
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