Muscat: A'Dhahirah Governorate is emerging as a promising model in attracting investment and implementing high-quality agricultural, livestock, and fisheries projects, driven by close coordination between government entities and the private sector and a clear vision to maximize local production through modern technologies. The governorate is witnessing accelerated activity through an integrated portfolio of ongoing projects, others completed during 2025, and future projects planned for 2026. According to Oman News Agency, Dr. Talal bin Zahran Al Busaidi, Director General of Agriculture and Water Resources in A'Dhahirah Governorate, said the governorate's significance extends beyond its agricultural base. It possesses the resources to become an integrated economic hub for food production, built on natural assets, diverse activities, and significant infrastructure development in recent years, in line with Oman Vision 2040, cementing its position as a key pillar of the food security system and sustainable devel opment. In a statement to the Oman News Agency (ONA), he said the governorate is steadily advancing towards greater competitiveness by maximizing the added value of its resources, attracting quality investment, and fostering a business environment conducive to sustainable development. The governorate is rich in strategic resources, including fertile agricultural land, available water resources, agricultural expertise, production diversity, and a strategic location that opens wide access to regional markets and supports the expansion of food industries and logistics, he noted. Government services, including agricultural extension, veterinary care, and various support programs, are a fundamental pillar in ensuring the success and sustainability of investment projects, he said. The total number of investment projects in food security in A'Dhahirah has reached 67 across three wilayats, covering about 9,607 acres, with an investment value of RO 84 million, including the recently signed poultry project with A'Nam aa valued at RO 28.85 million. Ibri accounts for the largest share with 38 investment projects, while Dhank is distinguished as the governorate's food basket, with promising investment projects supporting self-sufficiency and economic diversification for 2026, he said. The Directorate is working to achieve its 2026 targets with an investment value ranging between RO 37.5 million and RO 50 million by introducing new investment opportunities alongside high-quality projects spanning plant, animal, and aquatic sectors, supporting production expansion, resource diversification, and food security, Dr. Al Busaidi added. The introduction of such projects supports the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources' targets of localizing the second billion and enhancing self-sufficiency rates towards a more sustainable and competitive food system, he said. Ibri is witnessing a wide range of projects covering agricultural, livestock, manufacturing, and service activities, including greenhouse vegetable product ion, date palm cultivation and date production, fodder projects, livestock and poultry farming, as well as specialized projects such as tissue culture laboratories, water bottling plants, and integrated projects combining agricultural and livestock production. These contribute to improving food supply chain efficiency and added value, alongside fertilizer production, veterinary hospitals, and table egg production. Dhank continues to diversify its agricultural investments through ten projects spanning plant, manufacturing, and service activities, including date palm cultivation and date production, onion, potato, garlic and vegetable production, food manufacturing, animal waste utilization, livestock farming, and table egg production. Yanqul is implementing nine diverse investment projects covering plant production, livestock, food manufacturing, and support services, including grape and fig cultivation and production, date palm cultivation and date production, livestock farming and fodder cultivation, along with support projects such as fish market management and operation, and water purification and bottling. The Director General stressed that the next phase requires a shift from increasing production to building integrated value chains - from agricultural production through sorting, packaging, storage, and manufacturing to marketing and export. Expansion in food industries, packaging and storage centers, fodder projects, and dairy and meat plants is a strategic direction to increase added value and enhance the sector's contribution to the national economy, he said. He added that the governorate still abounds with multiple investment opportunities, including grain and strategic crop production, smart agriculture, fodder manufacturing, livestock farming, food industries, storage and refrigeration centers, agricultural services, water resources projects, and logistics services. Dr. Al Busaidi noted that 36 new projects have been listed on the Tatweer platform in collaboration with the Directorate General of Hou sing and Urban Planning for 2026, most notably the establishment of a veterinary hospital, a tissue culture center, greenhouses, livestock projects, and carbonated and flavored water plants. Cooperation has also been established with specialists in the Ibri Industrial City (Madayn) to offer 11 investment opportunities in food manufacturing and organic fertilizers on the Tatweer platform.