Projects worth RO100,000 to develop grape farming in six governorates

Projects worth RO100,000 to develop grape farming in six governorates

Muscat – The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources is implementing a project of grape cultivation worth RO100,000 in the governorates of North Sharqiyah, Dakhliyah, Dhahirah, North Batinah, South Batinah and Dhofar to support farmers and achieve self-sufficiency in production of fruits.

According to Dr Masoud bin Suleiman al Azri, Executive Director of Agricultural and Fisheries Development Fund, the project aims to raise the agricultural sector’s contribution to the gross domestic product, and provide business opportunities to small and medium enterprises and beneficiaries of the fund.

The project also aims to develop the cultivation and productivity of grape crops in the sultanate, and train and qualify 25 farmers and five technicians from the ministry in modern techniques of cultivation, harvesting and marketing grapes.

The project will facilitate setting up specialised farms of no less than an acre equipped with modern irrigation systems.

Azri informed that the ministry is implementing two programmes – one of 24 months for production and marketing, which includes all stages of cultivation and harvesting, and the other related to the technical aspects of grape cultivation, including pruning, hybridisation, fertilisation and quality control.

The RO100,000 grape cultivation project is expected to achieve several results, including establishment of grape farms on 25