Launch of Food Security Laboratory to Promote Investment and Sustainability

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, October 28, 2026

Oman's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources will hold the Food Security Laboratory from November 1 to 13 in Muscat to promote investment and advance sustainable food security projects aligned with Oman Vision 2040. Building on successful initiatives from 2025, the event aims to reduce food import dependency by boosting private sector involvement and developing key areas like agriculture, fisheries, and water management.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MoAFWR) in Oman is set to launch the Food Security Laboratory on November 1, with activities running through November 13 at the Mandarin Hotel in Muscat. This initiative aligns with the goals outlined in Oman Vision 2040 and aims to boost both local and foreign investment in key sectors related to food security.

The Food Security Laboratory, organized under the patronage of Shaikh Ghosn bin Hilal al Alawi, Chairman of the State Financial and Administrative Audit Institution, builds on previous efforts made during the Tenth Five-Year Plan. It continues the national focus on developing sustainable food security projects and attracting investment that supports economic diversification. The upcoming lab also coincides with the official launch of the Electronic Agricultural Census Project during its opening ceremony.

MoAFWR, in partnership with the Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit, designed the Food Security Laboratory as a strategic platform to develop a self-sufficient and integrated food system within the country. The program focuses on encouraging private sector participation, advancing the establishment of agricultural cities and nurseries, and localizing components of Oman’s substantial food import sector to reduce dependency on overseas markets. Key sectors under consideration include plant production, livestock, fisheries, water resource management, digital agricultural services, and food safety and quality.

A ministry official highlighted the laboratory’s role in advancing investment opportunities and promoting growth in Oman's agricultural sector. The lab aims to showcase recent developments, initiatives, and achievements aligned with Oman’s broader food security strategy and economic diversification efforts.

The previous Food Security Laboratory, conducted in 2025, successfully concluded initiatives and projects valued at approximately 37.2 million Omani rials (around $96 million USD). That edition resulted in 31 enabling initiatives, 27 investment projects, and identified 62 new opportunities spanning agriculture and water sectors. The upcoming laboratory seeks to build on this momentum to support sustainable development and greater food self-reliance in Oman.

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