Advancements in Haima’s Jojoba Project: Implications for Sustainable Investment and Business Growth in Oman
MUSCAT, OCT 9 – The Oman Agriculture Development Company (OADC), a subsidiary of the fully state-owned Oman Food Investment Holding Company (Nitaj), has launched a pioneering initiative to cultivate jojoba trees on a large scale. This project is expected to yield significant economic and environmental benefits, contributing to Oman’s carbon sequestration objectives.
Known as the Rima Project, the initiative aims to plant 150,000 jojoba trees across a 1.2 million square meter area in the desert landscape of Rima, located in the Wilayat of Haima, within Petroleum Development Oman’s (PDO) Block 6 concession. The project also collaborates with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources and PDO.
The OADC, formerly Nakheel Oman Development Company, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “The Rima Project is advancing Oman’s carbon sequestration efforts with 150,000 jojoba trees cultivated across more than 1.2 million square meters of arid land. Powered by a solar-based irrigation system, it is a pioneering model of climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable innovation.”
Jojoba cultivation presents substantial commercial and economic opportunities for Oman, especially in its commitment to sustainable desert agriculture and diversifying the green industry. Native to arid regions, the jojoba plant (Simmondsia chinensis) produces seeds abundant in a unique liquid wax, known as jojoba oil, which is in high demand in the cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and bio-lubricant sectors. Establishing jojoba plantations can foster new value chains in processing, oil extraction, and related industries, thereby creating rural employment and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
From an environmental perspective, jojoba thrives in Oman’s semi-arid conditions, requiring minimal water and adapting well to poor soils. Its deep root system strengthens soil stability, mitigates desertification, and aids in carbon sequestration. Incorporating jojoba into large-scale greening or carbon credit programs, such as those supported by PDO and the Environment Authority, could further assist Oman in mitigating emissions while enhancing biodiversity and promoting sustainable land practices.
To support the sustainability-focused nature of this project, Omani clean energy expert Nafath Renewables has been engaged to implement a solar-powered irrigation system throughout the site, which they describe as a “pioneering model for smart and sustainable agriculture.”
Notably, the Rima Project is part of a broader series of agricultural and environmental initiatives in Oman aimed at generating carbon credits and fostering long-term sustainability. One such example is the Oman Blue Carbon Project, a collaboration between the Environment Authority and MSA Green Projects, which seeks to plant 100 million mangrove trees across approximately 20,000 hectares in Al Wusta Governorate. This initiative will restore tidal wetlands and coastal ecosystems, serving as vital biodiversity areas and effective carbon sinks, with a projected capacity to remove around 14 million tonnes of CO₂ and generate between $150 million and $160 million in carbon credit revenues under the Verra Verified Carbon Standard.
Additionally, other nature-based carbon sequestration projects are being established by the private sector. In partnership with PDO, OADC has initiated a project in Dhofar to cultivate 30,000 Omani lemon trees, merging carbon absorption with agricultural revitalization. Similarly, the Green Alliance, created between the Environment Authority and OPAL, is uniting several private entities to advance afforestation efforts using indigenous tree species across various regions of the Sultanate.
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The Rima Project’s introduction of jojoba cultivation represents a significant فرصتی برای کسب و کارها in Oman to tap into sustainable agriculture and green industry diversification, potentially fostering new value chains and rural employment. However, the emphasis on carbon sequestration and environmental sustainability also poses a risk for companies not aligning with sustainability goals. Smart investors should consider positioning themselves in eco-friendly initiatives and partnerships that enhance both profitability and environmental stewardship.
