Oman is accelerating the adoption of artificial intelligence, smart agriculture technologies, and nature-based solutions as part of its strategy to reduce carbon emissions, strengthen food security, and advance its transition toward a low-carbon economy.
The country’s agriculture and livestock sectors are increasingly integrating AI-powered systems, Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, smart irrigation, hydroponics, vertical farming, and drone-based monitoring to improve productivity while reducing resource consumption. These initiatives form part of broader national efforts to support Net-Zero objectives while enhancing the sustainability and resilience of agricultural production.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, agriculture, fisheries, and water-related sectors are being positioned as important contributors to emissions reduction and environmental sustainability. By combining advanced technologies with natural carbon sequestration projects, Oman is seeking to create a more efficient and climate-resilient agricultural ecosystem.
One of the key developments is the deployment of AI-based smart fertilisation systems that analyze plant requirements and deliver nutrients with greater precision. The approach reduces fertilizer waste, lowers environmental pollution, minimizes emissions associated with agricultural inputs, and improves overall production efficiency.
The ministry is also investing in technologies that optimize water and energy use, both of which are critical considerations in arid environments. Smart agriculture systems are helping farmers make data-driven decisions while reducing the environmental footprint of agricultural operations.
According to estimates from Oman’s National Centre for Net-Zero, emissions from crop cultivation, livestock, and aquaculture activities reached approximately 1.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent under the country’s Net-Zero pathway through 2024. In response, the government has launched multiple initiatives focused on reducing emissions while maintaining agricultural productivity.
By the first quarter of 2026, eleven projects and initiatives had been implemented across the agriculture and livestock sectors. These include afforestation programs, blue carbon initiatives, sustainable animal feed development, organic fertilizer projects, and research into carbon-sequestering plant species.
A notable example is a research collaboration with Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) focused on cultivating the Maius (Ghaf) tree, which is being evaluated for its carbon sequestration potential, timber value, and contribution to ecosystem sustainability. Research indicates that a mature tree can absorb approximately 22 kilograms of carbon annually, while a ten-acre agricultural area could capture around 30 tonnes of carbon each year under favorable conditions.
The livestock sector is also undergoing modernization through research into alternative feed solutions. Studies conducted by the Animal Production Research Centre have demonstrated that feed formulations incorporating local resources such as moringa and palm fronds can reduce feed costs by more than 58 percent and lower production costs per kilogram of live weight gain by over 63 percent without negatively affecting animal performance or health.
Vegetation expansion remains another key pillar of Oman’s sustainability strategy. Between 2020 and 2025, more than 600,000 fruit trees were distributed through rural development and environmental initiatives. These included mango, Omani lemon, pomegranate, fig, jujube, and grafted lote varieties.
Among the largest initiatives is the OQ Green programme, launched by OQ Group in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources. The project aims to plant more than 250,000 productive fruit trees while supporting agricultural sustainability, local economic development, and carbon reduction efforts. The initiative is expected to produce more than 10,000 tonnes of fruit within five years while absorbing approximately 8,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.
Additional projects include the cultivation of 30,000 Omani lemon trees across 96 hectares in Dhofar Governorate and the Rima Project in Al Wusta Governorate, which aims to plant 150,000 jojoba trees. The latter is particularly significant due to the crop’s suitability for arid climates, low water requirements, and potential contribution to carbon credit programmes.
Together, these initiatives illustrate how Oman is integrating technology, environmental sustainability, and agricultural development into a unified strategy for climate resilience and economic diversification.
Editor’s Note
Oman’s agricultural strategy highlights an important shift occurring across the Middle East: climate resilience is increasingly becoming a digital infrastructure issue rather than solely an environmental one.
The integration of AI, IoT sensors, drone technologies, and precision agriculture tools demonstrates how digital technologies are being deployed to address resource constraints, food security challenges, and emissions reduction goals simultaneously. In water-scarce regions, the ability to optimize irrigation, fertilization, and crop management through data-driven systems can have a significant impact on both productivity and sustainability.
What makes Oman’s approach particularly noteworthy is the combination of advanced technology with nature-based carbon reduction initiatives. While many Net-Zero strategies focus heavily on energy and industrial emissions, agriculture offers an opportunity to reduce emissions while enhancing economic resilience and food production capacity.
The initiatives also reflect a broader regional trend toward climate-tech innovation. Governments across the Gulf are increasingly investing in technologies that improve environmental performance while supporting economic diversification. Smart agriculture is emerging as one of the most practical applications of AI and IoT, delivering measurable benefits in resource efficiency, operational costs, and environmental outcomes.
From a digital economy perspective, these projects demonstrate how emerging technologies are expanding beyond traditional sectors such as telecommunications and finance. Agriculture is becoming a key frontier for AI adoption, generating new opportunities for agritech startups, data analytics providers, IoT solution developers, and sustainability-focused innovation ecosystems.
As climate pressures intensify and food security becomes a strategic priority, countries that successfully combine digital technologies with sustainable land management practices will be better positioned to build resilient agricultural systems capable of supporting long-term economic and environmental goals.
