Muscat: The Qairoon Hairiti Farm, affiliated with the Royal Court Affairs, has achieved a milestone in agricultural innovation by successfully cultivating cocoa after extensive development, research, and propagation efforts spanning over a decade.
According to Oman News Agency, the cocoa tree, a tropical evergreen, requires precise care during its growth stages. Its fruit grows on the trunk in the form of pods, which change color as they mature. Eng. Mohammed Ahmed Al Mashaikhi, Head of the Agricultural Services Section, highlighted the significance of the cocoa tree as a prominent tropical crop with substantial economic value. The cultivation journey at Qairoon Hairiti farm began in 2016, aiming to assess the viability of cocoa cultivation under Dhofar's climatic conditions.
Al Mashaikhi explained the post-harvest process: cocoa seeds are extracted and undergo fermentation for several days before moving on to drying, roasting, and grinding stages. The resulting cocoa powder is integral to various industries, including chocolate production, some medical drugs, and cosmetics. Additionally, the outer shell of the cocoa pod is repurposed as an organic fertilizer.
Eng. Salim Ahmed Al Shahri, a Plant Protection Specialist, emphasized the continuous monitoring and care the cocoa trees receive at Qairoon Hairiti farm to protect them from pests and maintain fruit quality. The success of cultivating cocoa at Qairoon Hairiti farm represents a significant advancement in agricultural experiments for tropical crops in Dhofar, opening promising economic opportunities in Oman's agricultural sector.
