Al Dhahirah Food Investments Soar to RO 84 Million: What This Means for Business Growth and Opportunities in Oman
IBRI: Al Dhahirah Governorate has attracted 67 food security projects with a total investment of RO 84 million, aimed at expanding agricultural production, strengthening local supply chains, and developing value-added food industries.
These projects span approximately 9,607 acres across the wilayats of Ibri, Dhank, and Yanqul. They encompass a variety of activities including crop cultivation, livestock and poultry production, food processing, water bottling, and agricultural services. Notably, the investment figure includes a recently signed poultry farming project by Al Namaa Company valued at RO 28.85 million.
Dr. Talal bin Zahran al Busaidi, Director-General of Agricultural Wealth and Water Resources in Al Dhahirah Governorate, highlighted the region’s potential to become an integrated food production and processing hub. He pointed to factors such as fertile agricultural land, abundant water resources, farming expertise, diversified production, and recent infrastructure developments as key drivers of this growth.
The governorate’s strategic location also provides access to regional markets, fostering opportunities for food manufacturing, storage, and logistics services. Government support services like agricultural extension, veterinary care, and various support programs are enhancing the viability and sustainability of private sector projects.
Ibri leads with the largest share of investments, hosting 38 projects that cover a broad spectrum of activities such as greenhouse vegetable production, date palm cultivation, fodder production, livestock and poultry farming, tissue culture laboratories, water bottling, and integrated agricultural and livestock operations. Other ventures in Ibri include fertilizer production, veterinary hospitals, and table egg production.
Dhank has 10 projects focused on plant production, manufacturing, and agricultural services. These include date palm cultivation, onion, potato, garlic and vegetable farming, food processing, utilization of animal waste, livestock breeding, and table egg production. The wilayat is recognized as a major agricultural production center within Al Dhahirah and is expected to increasingly support food self-sufficiency and economic diversification.
Yanqul hosts nine projects covering crop and livestock production, food processing, and support services. Its initiatives include grape and fig cultivation, date palm farming, livestock breeding, fodder production, fish market management, and water purification and bottling facilities.
Looking ahead, Dr. Al Busaidi indicated that the directorate aims to attract additional investments ranging from RO 37.5 million to RO 50 million in 2026. These funds will target new opportunities in crop, livestock, fisheries, and water-related sectors, with the goal of boosting production, diversifying resources, and strengthening Oman’s food security.
He emphasized that the next phase should focus not only on increasing output but also on creating integrated value chains that encompass production, sorting, packaging, storage, processing, marketing, and exports. Expanding food processing, packaging and storage centers, fodder projects, along with dairy and meat processing plants, will add local value and enhance the sector’s economic contribution.
Potential investment areas include grain and strategic crop production, smart agriculture, fodder processing, livestock breeding, food manufacturing, cold storage, agricultural services, water projects, and logistics.
The directorate has launched 36 new projects for 2026 via the Tatweer platform in collaboration with the Directorate-General of Housing and Urban Planning. These opportunities include a veterinary hospital, a tissue culture center, greenhouses, livestock developments, and factories producing soft drinks and flavored beverages.
Additionally, 11 food processing and organic fertilizer production projects have been offered through the platform in partnership with Ibri Industrial City, operated by the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn).
Dr. Al Busaidi concluded that these projects support the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources’ mission to increase self-sufficiency rates and build a sustainable, competitive food production system aligned with Oman Vision 2040. — ONA
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Al Dhahirah Governorate’s significant investment of RO 84 million in 67 food security projects highlights Oman’s strategic push towards agricultural self-sufficiency and economic diversification. For businesses, this expansion presents opportunities in integrated food production, value-added processing, and logistics across key crops and livestock, supported by robust government incentives. Smart investors and entrepreneurs should consider capitalizing on emerging sectors like smart agriculture, cold storage, and food manufacturing to align with Oman Vision 2040’s sustainable food security goals.
