Muscat: Preliminary statistics from the National Centre for Statistics and Information highlight a boost in agricultural output and crop diversification.

The total agricultural production reached 3.68 million tons in 2023, marking a rise from 3.49 million tons in 2022. Forage crops led the expansion, accounting for 41.9 per cent of cultivated land (122,777 acres) and producing over 1.92 million tons. Fruit crops followed at 28.1 per cent (82,278 acres), yielding 493,011 tons, while vegetables covered 77,322 acres and produced 1.22 million tons. Field crops, grown on 10,692 acres, added 42,762 tons to the total.

A notable highlight was the increase in date production, which rose by 17,832 tons to reach 394,945 tons in 2023. Honey production also surged to 623,313 kilograms, up from 533,701 kilograms in 2022, reflecting the sector’s overall growth.

Additionally, the number of extension farms increased from 366 farms covering 306.5 acres in 2022 to 458 farms spanning 629 acres in 2023. Farmers also received support in the form of 69,202 kilograms of improved seeds and 55,500 fruit seedlings.