South Batinah harvests over 17 tonnes of wheat, bolstering Oman’s food security initiatives
The government’s initiative to promote wheat as a strategic crop is supported by comprehensive programmes aimed at improving cultivation practices and crop resilience
OMAN – Omani South Batinah governorate has successfully produced more than 17 tonnes of wheat in 2025, cultivating over 80 feddans of land across its wilayats, according to the Ministry of Agricultural, Fisheries, and Water Resources.
This marks a significant contribution to Oman’s strategic goal of enhancing food security through increased local wheat production.
The government’s initiative to promote wheat as a strategic crop is supported by comprehensive programmes aimed at improving cultivation practices and crop resilience.
Eng Abdullah bin Saif al Saidi, Director of the Agricultural Development Department in South Batinah, highlighted the ministry’s efforts in developing wheat varieties suited to Oman’s climate, distributing seeds, and providing ongoing technical supervision to farmers.
“These include research to develop wheat varieties suitable for Oman’s climate, as well as providing farmers with seeds and post-planting technical supervision,” he said.
More than 2.5 tonnes of wheat seeds have been distributed to over 60 farmers in the region this season.
One of the ministry’s key services, the ‘Wheat Harvest’ programme, offers free harvesting equipment and specialized staff to assist farmers during the crucial harvest period, further supporting agricultural productivity and easing operational challenges for farmers.
Eng Sawsan bint Talib al Khanbashiya, head of the Date Palm and Plant Production Section, emphasized the importance of the wheat seed project in advancing regional food security. She noted that ministry teams conduct regular field visits and provide technical guidance throughout the planting and harvesting seasons to ensure optimal outcomes.
“Our team continues to follow up with farmers through field visits and technical guidance throughout the planting season until harvest,” she said.
This progress in South Batinah aligns with a broader national trend. Recently, the kingdom announced that Wheat production is projected to surpass 7,700 tonnes for the 2024-2025 season, as farmers across key agricultural regions, including Dhofar, Dhahirah, Dakhliyah, and Buraimi, begin harvesting operations.
While the overall cultivated area has declined in some regions due to crop diversification, government-backed support programs and improved farming practices are helping sustain strong yields.
The Dhofar governorate, particularly the Najd region, is expected to lead national output with up to 6,000 tonnes of wheat harvested from around 6,400 acres across 52 farms. This marks a reduction from 7,600 acres last season, a shift attributed to farmers transitioning toward water-efficient, faster-maturing crops such as onions, tomatoes, garlic, and fodder.
“Farmers are responding to changing environmental and market conditions by diversifying their crop portfolios,” explained Fael Mohammed al Jahfali, Director General of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources in Dhofar.
Despite the reduced acreage, he stressed that wheat remains a strategic crop for national food security, especially given the Najd area’s ample cultivable land and accessible groundwater.
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