Oman’s diverse climate, with coastal regions and mountainous terrain, offers ideal conditions for a variety of crops. Its abundant sunlight and minimal pollution can also support sustainable organic farming. With the country presenting ample opportunities for individuals passionate about organic farming to thrive, Hiba Marhon Al Husaini has become one of those who embarked on a journey to promote organic farming and environmental sustainability motivated by her personal experiences with health issues and the stresses of modern life, leading her to discover the benefits of gardening and growing her food.
Hiba’s journey towards becoming an organic farmer began when she was in college and was struggling with both her health and college life challenges. She realized that the unhealthy and stressful lifestyle that most young people were leading was taking a toll on her physical and mental health.
Hiba realized that she needed to make a change in her life and decided to take up gardening. She started small, growing her vegetables and herbs in her backyard. She quickly discovered that growing her food not only improved her health but also helped her gain more knowledge about diet habits and nutrition.
Today, at 26, Hiba became passionate about organic farming and she’s aimed to spread the culture of organic farming and encourage more young people to take up farming. She believes that if more people start growing their food, they will not only improve their health but also reduce their carbon footprint and contribute towards a more sustainable future.
Hiba’s approach to farming is different from others in her generation, she expressed feeling bored due to the technological competition, as it does not provide the same level of escape or relaxation that she desires to live a good life.
“One of the reasons I’ve become a farmer is that everything has become rather boring with all the technology. We’re always on the phone, waiting for people to update us and watching out for new trends. At the same time, competition for technology and restaurants is heating up.
She added, “Whenever I engage in planting, touching the soil, or harvesting, I experience a sense of disconnect from the world around me. The most profound impact for me is the feeling of rejuvenation that comes after planting or harvesting as if my health has been restored. Whenever I faced stress or tension from work, I would always seek solace in agriculture.”
Hiba mentioned that in her old days, she was not open to trying out different types of vegetables and only stuck to a few specific ones. However, once she began farming, she began to appreciate the value of the food and crops that she grew and started to fully utilize them without wasting any.
“I developed a keen interest in consuming the food I produced, properly preserving it, and ensuring it is stored correctly to maintain its quality. As a result, my health has significantly improved, and I feel more at peace mentally as I am now more connected to nature,” Hiba emphasized.
Hiba’s farm has become a community hub, with people coming from all over to learn about organic farming and to purchase fresh produce. She has also started a blog to share her knowledge and experiences with gardening with others who are interested in organic farming.
“Currently, the youth are more focused on securing a well-respected, well-paying job rather than searching for a suitable job that offers a decent income potential based on their interests in the surrounding environment. There is a common trend among many individuals, and I aim to break away from this idealistic mindset and embrace a simpler lifestyle that brings me more strength and happiness than I could find elsewhere,” Hiba said.
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