MUSCAT : The funding – for projects in the agricultural, fisheries and water resources sectors – forms part of the Fund’s ongoing efforts to support projects with sustainable developmental impact, enhance local production and advance food security objectives in line with Oman Vision 2040.

Hanan bint Saeed Al Sulaimi, Executive Director of the Fund, said the organisation has financed around 64 development projects across the Sultanate over the past five years, with total funding exceeding RO 10.6 million. Of this amount, agricultural projects accounted for approximately RO 6.5 million, the fisheries sector RO 2.2 million, and the livestock sector about RO 1.2 million. The water resources sector received around RO 312,000, while food safety and quality projects were valued at RO 285,000.

She noted that recent years have seen the funding of a wide range of food security initiatives, including projects to boost local production, expand aquaculture, strengthen value chains and marketing, and promote innovation and sustainability. These include model grape farms, the localisation of turmeric cultivation in Dhofar, the propagation of economically important fruit varieties, enhancing the value of Omani roses in Jabal Akhdar, improving animal housing for rural women, developing fresh dairy products in Dhofar, supporting the sustainability of abalone fisheries, brown mussel farming projects, and technical pilot research on digital systems and food-grade packaging materials.

Al Sulaimi explained that the Fund’s financing priorities support several key pillars of Oman Vision 2040, including economic diversification, labour market development, financial sustainability, environmental protection and the sustainable management of natural resources, alongside strengthening governance and institutional performance.

She added that cooperation between the Fund and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources represents a strategic partnership aimed at developing the agricultural, fisheries and water resources sectors, as well as enhancing food safety and quality to achieve national food security goals.
According to her, project financing is guided by clear and measurable criteria to ensure high-quality outcomes and long-term sustainability. These include alignment with the Fund’s 2040 strategy programmes, revenue-generating potential, availability of public or private sector partners, direct developmental impact on beneficiaries, job creation for citizens, capacity building, geographic reach across governorates, and adherence to environmental and economic sustainability principles.

She said the Fund’s 2040 strategy focuses on preserving and efficiently managing natural resources, increasing sectoral contributions to food security and GDP, localising innovative technologies, improving beneficiary incomes, building human capacities, creating employment opportunities and supporting investment, particularly for small and medium enterprises.

Looking ahead to 2026, Al Sulaimi stated that the Fund will continue financing agricultural, fisheries, water resources and food safety projects across various governorates to raise production efficiency, develop value-added chains and promote innovation, contributing to economic competitiveness and reducing reliance on food imports.

She also highlighted the Fund’s growing focus on innovative agricultural tourism projects, noting that such initiatives align with national diversification goals and the adoption of modern technologies to enhance the sustainability and productivity of food security sectors.

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