Lang
Olive cultivation in Jabal Akhdar has expanded to approximately 20,000 trees, marking a major transformation for a crop that began on a modest scale in the early 1990s and has since evolved into an increasingly important component of the region's agricultural economy.
Eng Bader bin Abdullah Al Siyabi, Assistant Director General for Agricultural Affairs in Dakhliyah Governorate, attributed the expansion to sustained government support and targeted efforts to encourage farmers to adopt the crop and scale up their plantations.
Olive farming in the mountain region initially started on a limited scale. Over the following decades, however, the crop gained momentum as the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources introduced olive varieties selected specifically for their ability to produce oil and adapt to the environmental conditions of Jabal Akhdar.
These carefully selected varieties were distributed among local farmers, helping to position olive trees as a suitable and commercially promising crop for the mountain environment. The initiative gradually encouraged more producers to plant olive trees and expand existing cultivation.
A milestone in the development of the sector came with the establishment of the first olive oil extraction unit in Jabal Akhdar. The ministry initially provided extraction services to farmers free of charge, helping them process their harvest and demonstrating the commercial potential of olive production.
The economic case has also played a decisive role. According to Al Siyabi, the high value of olive products and the attractive return on investment have encouraged farmers to view olive cultivation not merely as an agricultural activity but as a viable investment opportunity.
Today, the roughly 20,000 olive trees in Jabal Akhdar produce an estimated 90,000 litres of high-quality olive oil annually, reflecting the growing scale of the sector and the rising importance of olives among the region's agricultural products.
The olive tree has also become part of a broader diversification strategy for agriculture in Jabal Akhdar. The region is already known for distinctive crops including pomegranates and roses, as well as deciduous fruit trees such as apricots and peaches.
For local farmers, the rise of olive cultivation represents a clear shift towards crops that can generate higher-value products and open new investment opportunities. With continued government guidance, expanding processing facilities and active farmer participation, the journey from a small number of trees in the 1990s to around 20,000 today underscores the remarkable development of olive farming in Jabal Akhdar.
Source: Muscat Daily