Oman to establish new agricultural city in Saham

MUSCAT: The much-anticipated Saham Agricultural City (SAC) project is set to be established in the Sultanate of Oman under the auspices of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning (Oman National Spatial Strategy) and Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources. This ambitious initiative aims to redefine agricultural and urban development in the region, focusing on food security, innovation in the agricultural economy, and sustainable urban planning.

Occupying an area of 65 square kilometers, the SAC will be a pioneering model of agricultural urbanism, with 70% dedicated to agriculture and 30% to urban development. The city is designed to provide food for 25,000 people annually, leveraging advanced technologies such as hydroponics, aeroponic farming, and fish farming to ensure efficient and sustainable food production.

Saham was chosen for its excellent soil quality, existing infrastructure, water availability, and suitable climate. The city will stretch from Al Batinah highway to the proximity in the governorate of Saham, integrating seamlessly with the region's landscape.

Surbana Jurong Group, a Singaporean government-owned consultancy firm focusing on infrastructure and urban development, recently presented the master plan at a day-long workshop attended by government officials and representatives of civil organisations.

In a recent post, Aflah al Farei, Project Lead of Stakeholder Engagement and Communication Consultant for SAC, emphasised the project's alignment with Oman Vision 2040. "The master plan project marks a crucial step in achieving Oman Vision 2040 by prioritising sustainable agriculture, technological innovation, and community wellbeing. Representatives from government and private sectors, along with experts and investors from various fields, actively participated in this insightful workshop."

Rashid al Yahyai, a research consultant and Professor at Sultan Qaboos University, shared insights from the project's inaugural workshop. "Today we launched our first workshop for stakeholders of the national project, Saham Agricultural City (SAC). We had round-table discussions on the most pressing issues related to the project, the experience of growers, and the aspirations of the people of Al Batinah North Governorate. SAC will be located in an area of about 100 square kilometers and will contain agricultural and civil units in a modern urban development unique to Oman."

The SAC project highlights pillars such as food security, innovation in the agricultural economy, food and nutrition research, smart agriculture, climate resilience, urban farming, and sustainable urban planning. These elements form the backbone of the initiative, ensuring that the city will not only be a hub for agricultural excellence but also a model of modern urban living.