MUSCAT : Represented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, the Sultanate of Oman is joining nations worldwide in celebrating the International Day of Rural Women, observed on the fifteenth of October each year. This occasion acknowledges the vital role they play in rural communities, particularly in agricultural and developmental fields.

This year’s celebration is held under the theme “Rural Women Cultivate Good Food for All,” highlighting women’s contributions to producing healthy, sustainable food and enhancing local development.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources affirmed that rural women represent a pivotal element in supporting the national economy, actively contributing to several vital sectors such as agriculture, animal husbandry, and handicraft industries, alongside their management of household and small projects across various governorates.

The Ministry indicated that the total number of Omani women working in the professions of agriculture, animal husbandry, and industrial and food processing operations reached 10,148 women.

Statistics show that 89% of rural women work in the field of animal breeding and production, while 68.2% contribute to agricultural and livestock activities, and 37% work in handicraft industries. This demonstrates the diversity of fields in which Omani rural women are engaged.