MUSCAT – During the session, His Excellency the Minister outlined significant progress across agriculture, fisheries, and water resources, noting that total agricultural and fish production increased from 4.3 million tons in 2020 to 5.6 million tons in 2025, achieving a growth rate of 6.9 percent. He said this contributed to raising the sector’s contribution to gross domestic product to RO 1,132 million, compared to RO 776 million in 2020, reflecting growth of 7.9 percent.

His Excellency added that Oman’s food self-sufficiency rates have shown strong improvement across key commodities, reaching 146 percent in fish, 99 percent in dates, 96 percent in milk, 95 percent in table eggs, 79 percent in vegetables, 62 percent in white meat, 45 percent in red meat, and 24 percent in fruits excluding dates.

He further highlighted that the agricultural sector now includes more than 9.1 million palm trees, while livestock wealth is estimated at around 4 million heads. The fisheries sector employs over 60,000 Omani fishermen and is supported by 62 markets, 119 factories, and 24 ports.

On water resources, His Excellency noted the establishment and operation of 85 aquifer recharge dams with a total capacity of 110,331 million cubic meters, alongside 116 surface storage dams with a capacity of 0.624 million cubic meters, and seven protection dams with a capacity of 247,730 million cubic meters. He also pointed to a water monitoring network comprising 3,483 stations, including 672 remotely operated stations, in addition to 14 rain gauging stations, enhancing water resource management efficiency and sustainability.

He said 493 usufruct contracts have been signed with a total value of 1.87 billion Omani rials, while investments recorded growth of 39 percent in fisheries, 20.7 percent in water, and 19 percent in agriculture and livestock sectors. Food industry exports reached 753 million rials, achieving 106 percent of the target, while fish exports stood at 209 million rials, achieving 127 percent, and agricultural and livestock exports reached 285 million rials, achieving 96 percent of the target.

His Excellency also noted that the local content ratio reached 63 percent, with 35 agricultural and livestock industrial projects and 28 fish factories implemented, attracting investments exceeding 100 million rials.

He added that per capita water availability reached 369 cubic meters, achieving 90 percent of the target, while wastewater treatment reached 98 percent, underscoring continued efforts to address water scarcity challenges and improve resource efficiency.

The discussions reflected Oman’s ongoing focus on strengthening food security, expanding investment in productive sectors, and enhancing sustainable management of natural resources.