Ministry Statement Highlights:
•    Agricultural and fisheries production increased to 5.6 million tonnes in 2025, while the sector’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rose to OMR 1.132 billion. 
•    High self-sufficiency rates were achieved in fish, dates, milk, table eggs, and vegetables during 2025. 
•    Water security was enhanced through the establishment and operation of 85 groundwater recharge dams and 116 surface storage dams, alongside the development of the national water monitoring system. 
•    The fisheries sector continued to develop through an integrated system comprising more than 60,000 Omani fishermen, 119 fish processing factories, and 24 fish landing ports. 
•    A total of 493 usufruct agreements valued at OMR 1.870 billion were signed to support investments in food and water security sectors. 
•    Twenty-eight fish processing factories were established and operated with investments exceeding OMR 100 million to strengthen food and fisheries industries. 
•    The use of modern agricultural technologies and drones in agricultural operations and pest control was expanded. 
•    Strategic food reserves were strengthened through the establishment of grain silos with a storage capacity of 160,000 tonnes and the expansion of storage facilities. 
•    Exports of food, fisheries, and agricultural industries exceeded OMR 1.2 billion during 2025. 
•    National programmes were implemented to combat desert locusts and red palm weevil infestations and protect agricultural crops. 
Council Members During the Discussion:
•    Called for a clear timeline to achieve self-sufficiency in a number of essential products. 
•    Discussed the possibility of integrating fishermen into the social protection system. 
•    Proposed the establishment of a college for aquaculture and food processing. 
•    Emphasised the importance of implementing strict field inspection measures to protect public health and ensure food safety at the source. 
•    Highlighted the importance of utilising scientific studies and applied research to develop sustainable solutions to challenges facing the agricultural sector. 
•    Raised questions regarding the level of expenditure allocated to scientific research and agricultural innovation within the Ministry’s budgets. 



The Shura Council today (Sunday) discussed the statement delivered by H.E. Dr. Saud Hamoud Al Habsi, Minister of Agricultural, Fisheries and Water Resources, during which His Excellency reviewed the performance of the Ministry’s sectors during the previous period and outlined achievements realised in the areas of food and water security, in addition to future plans aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the agricultural, fisheries, and water sectors and achieving the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.
The discussion comes within the framework of supporting sustainable economic development, strengthening the national food security system, and increasing the contribution of these sectors to the Gross Domestic Product.
Council Members stressed the importance of adopting an integrated strategic vision for developing the agricultural, fisheries, and water resources sectors in a manner that contributes to strengthening food security, achieving water sustainability, developing the investment ecosystem in productive sectors, enhancing natural resource management, strengthening local content, and supporting employment opportunities in line with the objectives of comprehensive national development.
The sitting formed part of the 18th Regular Sitting of the Third Ordinary Session (2025–2026) of the Tenth Term (2023–2027), chaired by H.E. Khalid Hilal Al Maawali, Chairman of the Shura Council, in the presence of Their Excellencies the Members of the Council and H.E. Ahmed Mohammed Al Nadabi, Secretary-General of the Council.
Chairman’s Opening Remarks
At the outset of the sitting, H.E. Khalid Hilal Al Maawali welcomed H.E. Dr. Saud Hamoud Al Habsi and expressed appreciation for accepting the Council’s invitation to deliver the ministerial statement as part of the ministerial statements programme for the current ordinary session.
His Excellency affirmed that the statement carries strategic significance given the pivotal role of the agricultural, fisheries, and water resources sectors in the national development process and in strengthening food security and natural resource management in the Sultanate of Oman.
He further noted that the themes addressed in the ministerial statement are closely linked to national development priorities, requiring constructive dialogue and practical proposals that support institutional integration and contribute to advancing these vital sectors in line with sustainable development objectives, thereby strengthening the national economy, enhancing food security, and ensuring resource sustainability for future generations.


Minister’s Statement
H.E. Dr. Saud Hamoud Al Habsi subsequently delivered his statement, reviewing key developments witnessed in the food and water security sectors during the Tenth Five-Year Plan.
His Excellency stated that the Ministry implemented a package of strategic programmes and projects that contributed to increasing agricultural and fisheries production, enhancing food self-sufficiency rates, and increasing the contribution of these sectors to GDP. These efforts also included expanding water infrastructure projects, strengthening the investment ecosystem, supporting local content, and creating employment opportunities.
He further indicated that the upcoming phase under the Eleventh Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) will focus on maximising the economic returns of productive sectors, expanding the investment base, accelerating technological and digital transformation, and strengthening the sustainability of natural resources in support of Oman Vision 2040 objectives.
Ministry Statement
The Council reviewed the Ministry’s performance during the Tenth Five-Year Plan (2021–2025), including economic and development indicators, strategic programmes and projects implemented during the previous period, and future directions under the Eleventh Five-Year Plan (2026–2030), aimed at strengthening food and water security and increasing the contribution of these sectors to GDP in line with Oman Vision 2040.
The statement noted that the Sultanate of Oman possesses diverse capabilities supporting the development of food and water security sectors, including approximately 5.5 million acres of agricultural and reclaimable land, representing around 7.5% of the total area of the Sultanate. Cultivated land reached approximately 312,000 acres by the end of 2024. The agricultural sector also includes advanced infrastructure comprising research centres, agricultural quarantine facilities, and specialised honey production units, in addition to more than 9.1 million palm trees.
The statement further indicated that the livestock sector represents a key pillar supporting food security, with natural grazing areas covering approximately 33 million acres and livestock numbers exceeding 4 million heads of sheep, cattle, and camels. The sector is supported by an integrated veterinary services network that includes 69 government veterinary clinics, 41 mobile clinics, and a veterinary hospital.
In the fisheries sector, the statement highlighted the sector’s strategic role in supporting the national economy and enhancing food security. The sector employs more than 60,000 Omani fishermen and includes 27,320 licensed fishing boats and 1,243 fishing vessels. Infrastructure supporting the sector includes 62 fish markets, 119 fish processing factories, and 24 fish landing ports along the Omani coastline.


With regard to water resources, the Ministry stated that it continued strengthening the national water security system through the establishment and operation of 85 groundwater recharge dams with a total storage capacity of 110.331 million cubic meters, in addition to 116 surface storage dams and 7 flood protection dams with a storage capacity of 247.730 million cubic meters, alongside Wadi Dayqah Dam, which has a storage capacity of 100 million cubic meters.
The Ministry also enhanced monitoring systems through a hydrometric network comprising 3,483 stations, including 672 stations operating through remote communication technologies, in addition to operating 14 cloud seeding stations, supporting sustainable and efficient management of water resources.
The statement confirmed that the agricultural, fisheries, and water resources sectors recorded sustained growth during the Tenth Five-Year Plan, with agricultural and fisheries production increasing from 4.3 million tonnes in 2020 to 5.6 million tonnes in 2025, representing an average growth rate of 6.9%.
The contribution of agriculture and fisheries activities to GDP at constant prices increased to OMR 1.132 billion in 2025 compared to OMR 776 million in 2020, recording an average annual growth rate of 7.9% during the same period.
The Ministry noted that this growth reflects the expansion of production and investments in food security projects and the achievement of advanced self-sufficiency rates in several key food commodities. Self-sufficiency rates reached 146% for fish, 99% for dates, 96% for milk, 95% for table eggs, and 79% for vegetables, while rates stood at 62% for white meat, 45% for red meat, and 24% for fruits excluding dates.
The statement further highlighted the Ministry’s focus on developing food and fisheries industries, with fisheries-related industries witnessing notable growth during the period 2023–2025 through the establishment and operation of 28 specialised factories with investments exceeding OMR 100 million.
The Ministry also announced that approximately 401 investment opportunities were offered during 2025, while the number of signed usufruct agreements reached 198 contracts with investments exceeding OMR 175 million. Investment growth rates reached 19% in the agricultural and livestock sector, 20.7% in the water resources sector, and 39% in the fisheries sector, surpassing targets set under the Tenth Five-Year Plan.
In terms of economic diversification, agricultural and livestock exports reached approximately OMR 285 million by the end of 2025, achieving 96% of the target, while fisheries exports amounted to OMR 209 million, representing 127% of the target. Food industries exports reached OMR 753 million, reflecting the growing export capacity of food security sectors and their contribution to the national economy.




The Ministry also reviewed projects implemented during the Tenth Five-Year Plan, most notably the localisation and dissemination project for modern agricultural technologies, which focused on introducing vertical farming, smart farms, and drones into agricultural operations.
Drones were used to combat agricultural pests across more than 36,552 acres during the period 2021–2025, in addition to combating rhinoceros beetles in Dhofar Governorate.
The statement also reviewed the National Strategy for the Advancement of Date Palm Trees, which included tissue culture programmes, integrated pest management initiatives, and replacement and renewal programmes. More than 140,000 palm saplings and 400,000 improved fruit seedlings were distributed, alongside the establishment of genetic banks comprising 250 palm varieties.
The Ministry further highlighted efforts to combat desert locusts through survey, monitoring, and control operations covering more than 110,852 acres during the period 2021–2025.
With regard to combating red palm weevil infestations, the Ministry implemented an integrated national programme that included regular surveys, removal of severely infected trees, and treatment of infected trees. More than 351,000 palm trees were treated during the period 2021–2025, contributing to an increase in the number of pest-free villages from 8 villages in 2021 to 109 villages in 2025.
The Ministry also addressed integrated crop pest management efforts, particularly those targeting coconut leaf beetles in Dhofar Governorate and pomegranate butterflies in Al Jabal Al Akhdar through the use of modern technologies and drones.
The statement affirmed that under the Eleventh Five-Year Plan (2026–2030), the Ministry will focus on maximising the economic returns of the agricultural, fisheries, and water resources sectors, increasing their contribution to GDP, expanding local and foreign investment, generating employment opportunities for Omanis, accelerating digital transformation and artificial intelligence applications in food security sectors, strengthening sustainable management of natural resources, and developing legislation and policies related to water resource management in line with global developments and future food and water security challenges.