MUSCAT: The 2023 Food Security Lab, a two-week event rich in activities and purposeful discussions to enhance local and foreign investment across various food security sectors, concluded on Thursday, November 9, 2023.
The closing ceremony, was held under the auspices of Dr Khalfan bin Said al Shuaili, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning (MoHUP), with a number of dignitaries in attendance.
Dr Masoud al Azri, Director General of Agriculture & Livestock Research, presented key outcomes of the investment focus in food security sectors. This included 15 projects with an investment value of RO 83 million, 26 utilization contracts amounting to over RO 38 million, and 12 preliminary approvals for investment projects in the food security sector with an investment cost of RO 8.06 million. Additionally, there were 174 investment opportunities valued at RO 756 million.
Dr. Al Azri outlined significant achievements in local content and operational initiatives, targeting various groups such as job seekers, recent graduates, freelancers, and employees. Initiatives included training and qualifying the national workforce in ministry sectors, developing farmers managing farms affiliated with Nakheel Development Company, and enhancing the model of Al Murooj Dairy Company to support suppliers, aiming to raise companies' quality standards for quality certifications.
Regarding product competitiveness, five amendments were introduced in regulations, focusing on health and technical requirements to ensure the safety and quality of imported products. This included the imposition of protective fees on the ten essential food items, bilateral agreements for customs duty exemptions on Omani exports, exceptions for certain food products from selective tax, and extending the shelf life of perishable food items.
The possibilities and content initiatives resulted in the creation of systems and regulations for agricultural tourism, incentive initiatives, and facilitations for food security projects. The national food security strategy, with four strategic directions, led to ten main programs covering production inputs, ensuring sufficient food supplies through public-private partnerships, enhancing distribution and marketing networks, and adding value to the food sector, including food processing industries.
Discussions within the strategy included a proposal for the representative food basket for Oman, with plans for strategic storage of seven items and 32 essential food items. The modern technology focus presented several investment opportunities across production inputs, energy efficiency, waste management, monitoring systems, electronic platforms, manufacturing, technological advancements, security, safety, and logistics.
In the water resources pillar, 19 initiatives were introduced, covering sustainability, water security, and empowerment, with a total value of RO 420,000. Utilization contracts were signed by Al Shuaili, including integrated projects for white meat production, calf fattening, feed production, seasonal fodder cultivation, poultry, and egg production.
Saud bin Hamoud al Habsi, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources, signed agreements related to commercial fishing, shrimp farming, and fish farming, aiming to boost the country's agricultural and fishery sectors.
Among the agreements signed was a pact for the establishment of an integrated project for the production of white meat at Al Sunaina in Al-Buraimi Governorate with an investment of RO 14 million.
Another pact was inked for a livestock fattening project, alongside the production of animal fodder in Al Najd in Dhofar Governorate, at a cost of RO 3 million.
Additionally, Fisheries Development Oman (FDO) is investing RO 40 million in a fishery project in the Sea of Oman, while Al Majra International will develop a shrimp farming venture in Jalan Bani Bu Ali in South Sharqiyah Governorate at a cost of RO 13.9 million.
Separately, Musandam International Co will invest around RO 10 million in a fish farming initiative in Khasab Wilayat in Musandam Governorate
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