Muscat – Sultan Qaboos University’s College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Minerals and CSR partners including Daleel Petroleum, OQ Exploration and Production, PDO, bp Oman, Oxy Oman, and CC Energy Development, has moved into the second stage of its Jinan Tech project. The initiative is designed to boost sustainable agriculture through Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) solutions that enhance crop production while improving water and energy efficiency.
The second phase marks the transition from planning to implementation, with the construction and installation of three agricultural structures: traditional greenhouses commonly used by Omani farmers, a high-tech IoT-enabled structure, and a hybrid model combining elements of both. These facilities will enable comparative research into efficiency, sustainability, and productivity across different agricultural methods.
The project’s first stage involved field studies across local farms and international visits to examine best practices and technologies in controlled agriculture. With the greenhouse construction now underway, the third phase will focus on capacity-building. Training workshops will be held for farmers, students, employees, and entrepreneurs in related SMEs to maximize the project’s impact and ensure knowledge transfer.
By blending innovation with tradition, the Jinan Tech project aims to modernize Oman’s agricultural practices, address local farming challenges, and contribute to long-term food security and sustainability goals.
