SOURCE: Muscat Daily
Oman, a nation reliant on imported mangoes, is steering its attention toward sustainable farming of mangoes locally.
The Ministry of Agricultural Wealth, Fisheries and Water Resources (MAFWR) has initiated a RO1.25mn mango cultivation project over 80 hectares of land in Barka, South Batinah.
This endeavour through Mango Production and Marketing company stems from the Food Security Laboratory supervised by the ministry. Its core objective is to increase domestic mango production and diversify the local market’s agricultural offerings.
Company CEO Nasser bin Hamad al Sibai said that the integrated mango cultivation farm has been set up to produce diverse high-quality mango variants.
Initial stages saw the establishment of the farm’s infrastructure: Fencing, well-digging, a state-of-the-art irrigation system, and electricity provisions.
With 5,000 mango saplings already planted and another 5,000 slated to be planted by the year-end, the company is working towards a total of 17,000 saplings across the designated area.
By 2028, the farm is projected to yield approximately 3,600 tonnes of mangoes annually. Furthermore, this agricultural initiative promises job opportunities for the Omani citizens.
The project integrates the latest methodologies in mango cultivation, adhering to the global standards and best practices such as optimal fertiliser use and pruning. High standard of farming would ensure an environment conducive to bumper production, the company stated.