Sultan Qaboos University, represented by College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences in partnership with the Ministry of Energy and Minerals and its corporate social responsibility (CSR) committee members which include Daleel Petroleum, OQ Exploration and Production SAOG, Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), bp Oman, Oxy Oman and CC Energy Development, implemented the Jinan Tech project. This project focused on designing and constructing Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) structures to boost crop production and sustainability as well as increase water and energy use efficiency.
The second stage of the Jinan Tech project focused on field construction and installation, advancing from the planning to implementation phase. This stage includes setting up of three agricultural structures, whereby they include traditional structures used by most Omani farmers, a high-tech structure based on smart Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, and a hybrid design that combines the features of the two previous models.
The first stage of this project focused on studying the local agricultural challenges through field visits to local farms as well as international visits to research the latest designs and technologies used globally in agriculture sector in environmentally controlled agriculture.
Following the completion of the greenhouse construction, the research teams will prepare for the third stage of the project which will involve conducting training workshops targeting farmers, school and university students, employees, and entrepreneurs in relevant small and medium-sized enterprises, to enhance the project's impact and expected benefits.
Read more at Times of Oman
