In recent months, strawberries have emerged as an unexpected agricultural sensation in Oman, captivating the interest of both farmers and consumers alike. Once a novelty in the region, this juicy berry is now at the forefront of a burgeoning local produce movement driven by innovative farming practices, entrepreneurial spirit, and a growing preference for organic, locally-grown food.
Traditionally, Oman's agriculture has centered around date palms, citrus, and other hardy crops suitable to the desert climate. However, recent advances in greenhouse technology, vertical farming, and hydroponics are transforming this landscape. Farmers across the country, from Barka to Bidiya, and even in urban centers like Muscat, are experimenting with strawberries, a crop that requires precise environmental conditions to thrive.
Fahad Al Hajri, an agripreneur based in Bidiya, exemplifies this shift. Using greenhouses on his three-acre farm, he successfully cultivated his first crop last year. His strawberries, grown in neatly arranged rows with modern irrigation systems, garnered enthusiastic local sales.
In Barka, a local farmer employs vertical farming techniques in Halban, achieving impressive yields of strawberries despite the arid environment. Similarly, in Yiti, Muscat, the Yeti Farm Project blends traditional irrigation with high-tech greenhouses, creating a space where visitors can pick strawberries themselves during seasonal festivals, making agriculture a family-friendly activity and boosting agritourism.
Read more at Oman Observer
