MoU
Signed to Enhance Food Security Through Sesame Cultivation in Dhofar

Salalah,
3 Aug (ONA) — A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed today at Salalah
Free Zone between “Saifco,” a food industry company operating in the
zone, and the Dhofar Governorate branch of the Oman Agricultural Association.

The
agreement is for the cultivation of sesame in the Al Najd area, as part of
efforts to support food security and enhance national value chains.

This
initiative is a joint cooperation program between the Ministry of Agriculture,
Fisheries, and Water Resources, the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones
and Free Zones, and the Salalah Free Zone. It aims to connect local agricultural
production with the food industry and achieve the objectives of Oman Vision
2040.

Under
the agreement, Saifco commits to purchasing the sesame harvest from farmers in
the first season, with plans for expansion in subsequent seasons. The project
covers an area of 600 acres, benefiting 35 farmers with an estimated production
of 300 tons in its first phase.

This
partnership seeks to reduce reliance on sesame imports and boost
self-sufficiency to meet the needs of local food industries, particularly for
tahini and halwa. Sesame is a suitable crop for the desert environment of the
Al Najd area and is known for its multiple uses in the food, cosmetic, and
medicinal industries, in addition to its high nutritional value.

Dr.
Ali Mohammed Tabuk, CEO of the Salalah Free Zone, affirmed that the initiative
is part of the zone’s efforts to enhance economic development by stimulating
qualitative partnerships between investors and the local community. He added
that the Salalah Free Zone aims to empower local production-based industries
and support integrated value chains, thereby contributing to sustainable
development in Dhofar Governorate and Oman as a whole.

The
project serves as a practical model of cooperation among government entities,
free zones, and the private sector. It embodies the role of the Salalah Free
Zone in supporting national projects that contribute to the development of
local industries, the empowerment of SMEs, and the enhancement of self-sufficiency
and sustainable growth.

—Ends/AG