In an effort to address the volatility in the onion market and reduce dependency on imports, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources (MoFAWR) in Oman has initiated a new project aimed at increasing local onion production. This development comes in the wake of export bans by some countries, significantly affecting Oman due to its heavy reliance on imported onions. The Sultanate imports 86% of its onion needs, totaling 91,320 tonnes annually, while local farms only contribute 14% to the national supply.
Dr. Masoud al Azri, the Director General of Marketing in Agriculture and Fisheries, informed that the Ministry has recently signed an agreement to cultivate onions over an area of 621 acres in the Wilayat of Dhank, Al Dhahirah Governorate, with an expected annual yield of 700 tonnes. The Dhank Agricultural Production project has commenced with well digging and land preparation activities, alongside the procurement of necessary supplies. This initiative is anticipated to bolster the local market with domestically produced onions and enhance the Sultanate's self-sufficiency.
An impending agreement with Nakheel Development Oman for the crop's purchase and marketing is also in the pipeline. This move is particularly crucial in light of recent price surges, where the cost of red onions in Oman soared by 300% due to a prolonged halt in exports from India, a major supplier accounting for 44% of Oman's onion imports.
Source: ZAWYA