Rose harvest season begins in Al Jabal Al Akhdhar
Every year, during the rose festival season which is usually from the end of March until mid-May, the rugged mountain landscape of Al Jabal Al Akhdhar transforms into a spectacular shade of pink.
The vast, green terraces lying at an altitude of more than 3,000 metres become covered with more than 5,000 rose trees on an area of roughly 7 to 10 acres. It is typically associated with the distillation of rose water, which serves as a key component of ornamental products, aromatics and sweets and Omani coffee.
The rose water is used as flavouring for food and beverages, and has recently been introduced into the cosmetics industry, including creams and aromatic soaps. Not only that, the roses, after pressing, are used in soap and fertiliser production, according to the residents of the wilayat.
According to statistics, the rose production in Al Jabal Al Akhdhar has increased significantly to over 20 tonnes last year from 9 tonnes.
The production in 2024 was valued at RO 200,000, highlighting the economic importance of rose farming in the wilayat. Additionally, the amount of rose water produced from those trees is estimated at 28,000 litres.
"The rose harvest season in Al Jabal Al Akhdhar, which runs from the end of March and continues until mid-April every year, ushers in a state of tourism diversity and allows tourists to have a close look at traditional and modern methods of distilling rose water," a spokesperson from the ministry said.
"The harvest season is closely connected with our tradition and culture and attracts visitors who participate in picking and processing roses and enjoy cultural performances, traditional food and local hospitality which happen in my wilayat," says Abdullah al Dharmaki, a public sector employee from Al Jabal Al Akhdhar.
Realising the value addition of the rose harvest to the national GDP, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and A project was launched in March 2024 to boost rose cultivation. With RO 150,000 financing from the Agricultural and Fisheries Development Fund, the two-year project aims to benefit 15 farmers. Objectives include conducting a study on rose cultivation and related industries in collaboration with local SMEs, supporting the cultivation of an additional five acres of roses, introducing agricultural machinery and providing training to beneficiaries engaged in the rose water industry.
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