MAFWR’s initiative spurs turmeric farming in Dhofar 

MAFWR’s initiative spurs turmeric farming in Dhofar 

Muscat – The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MAFWR) has embarked on the second phase of turmeric farming in Dhofar governorate.

In its first phase, the project had chosen 60 farmers from 12 villages across Salalah, Taqah, Dhalkhut, and Rakhyut, for cultivation of turmeric on just over half-an-hectare of land.

The project envisages diversification of the agriculture sector and eventually achieve food self-sufficiency, besides establishing a genetic bank.

The ministry has chosen 55 farmers from 25 villages for the second phase of the project.

It is now distributing turmeric roots to those farmers for cultivation of this plant over an area of 1.6 hectares. The ministry will also equip them with a modern irrigation system and provide guidance through agricultural teams. These teams will also monitor the cultivation of turmeric under this project.

The season for turmeric cultivation begins in June and lasts for six to eight months.

Eng Radwan Abdullah al Ibrahim, Director of Agricultural Development Department in Dhofar governorate and the project manager, explained that turmeric, a member of the ginger family, originates from Southeast Asia and is predominantly grown commercially in India. Its rhizome, the underground stem, is utilised as a culinary spice and traditional medicine as well.

The first phase of