'Haseed' links Al Dhahirah farmers with retailers
Mahmoud al Harmali, a team member, explained that the project was inspired by the challenges farmers face in delivering their products to local markets within Al Dhahirah. Many are forced to sell individually at weekly markets or transport their goods outside the governorate, leading to spoilage and delayed sales, while most retailers rely on imported produce from other governorates.
He noted that the team encountered several challenges during development, including difficulty accessing farm owners directly. Additionally, digital promotion proved challenging, prompting the team to adopt on-ground outreach by visiting traditional markets - particularly at dawn on Fridays, a peak time for Omani traders and vendors.
The platform allows farmers to easily showcase their fresh and organic products, while retailers can source locally grown goods at fair prices with assured quality. 'Haseed' also features an organised delivery system transporting produce from farms to stores, along with smart surplus management technology to minimise agricultural waste and maximise crop utilisation.
Available products on the platform include a variety of farm-direct offerings such as dates, onions, leafy greens, melons and guavas.
The project secured third place in 'Al Dhahirah Hackathon', which saw over 200 participants and 40 student projects amid strong competition from colleges and universities nationwide, judged by experts in innovation and entrepreneurship.
Moving forward, the team plans to collaborate with relevant authorities to expand the platform to other governorates, with the goal of evolving it into a commercial start-up that supports Oman's agricultural sector and empowers local farmers through innovative tech solutions. - ONA
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
an hour ago
- Observer
Mining sector grows with 26 new licences
MUSCAT, JULY 15 In a landmark year for Oman's minerals sector, the Ministry of Energy and Minerals issued 26 new mining licences in 2024 and celebrated the start of commercial copper exports, marking a major step forward in the Sultanate's efforts to diversify its economy under the Vision 2040 framework. According to the Ministry's annual report for 2024, the government granted 14 permanent mining licences and 12 exploration licences, with approvals spread across strategic governorates including Dhofar, Al Wusta, North Al Sharqiyah, Al Batinah, and Al Dhahirah. These licences covered a broad array of resources such as gypsum, limestone, chromite, copper, iron ore, marble, and various construction materials. The Ministry also renewed 10 mining licences and one exploration licence, helping ensure continuity for active operations while opening doors for new entrants to the market. The year also saw major developments in copper mining, with two strategic projects beginning production and exports. In Al Khaboura, the Al Ghuzayn Copper Project entered commercial operation in 2024, with an initial investment of RO 43 million. The project, developed by Mawarid Mining, aims to extract six million tonnes of copper ore over six and a half years. In addition to producing and exporting its first copper shipments, the company issued sales invoices and official export certificates, solidifying Oman's re-entry into the global copper market. The project is also expected to generate 50 direct jobs for Omani nationals and allocate one per cent of its annual output to support local community development, in line with the provisions of Oman's Mineral Wealth Law. Meanwhile, in the Wilayat of Al Mudhaibi, the Wash-hi Copper Project achieved a significant milestone with the commencement of copper concentrate exports. The site holds an estimated 16 million tonnes of reserves and is capable of producing high-quality copper concentrate with a purity of 24 per cent. Officials hailed the development as a strong signal of growing investor confidence in Oman's mineral resource potential, particularly in base metals. Despite facing challenges linked to production reporting delays from several operators, Oman's overall mineral output for 2024 remained substantial. Total mineral ore production stood at 67.7 million tonnes, down 14 per cent compared to the previous year. Of this, 62.5 million tonnes were sold, generating revenues of RO 114.3 million. Exported volumes reached 35.9 million tonnes, with gypsum accounting for the largest share at 12.4 million tonnes, or 35 per cent of total exports. Limestone exports rose sharply by 49 per cent to 7.4 million tonnes, while the export of raw construction materials dropped by 39 per cent. Significantly, 2024 marked the first commercial copper exports from Oman, with 24,000 tonnes shipped to international markets. In tandem with licensing efforts, the Ministry also concluded several long-term concession agreements during the year to facilitate industrial-scale mining development. Among the key signings were Area 22-D in North Al Sharqiyah, which was awarded to Al Tamman Indsil Ferrochrome Company; Area 51-K, granted to Naqa Salt Company; and Area 11-A, signed with Al Tasnim Gulf Potash. These agreements support Oman's aim of attracting responsible investment in mineral development while fostering the downstream processing and value-added industries required to localise production chains. By the end of 2024, ten companies were operating across 21 designated mining concession areas in the Sultanate. These blocks contain commercially viable reserves of copper, chrome, laterite, potash, dolomite, gypsum, limestone, nickel, and cobalt. The Ministry is continuing to promote digital transformation in the sector and has launched an online bidding platform to enable transparent access to mineral blocks and facilitate the evaluation of applications by potential investors. In terms of human capital, the mining sector employed 3,942 workers during 2024, including 890 Omani nationals. This translates into an Omanisation rate of 23 per cent. The Ministry has signalled its intention to raise this figure by enhancing workforce development and supporting national capacity-building initiatives in mining engineering, geology, and environmental management.
Observer
an hour ago
- Observer
Dhofar Municipality implements internal road projects worth over RO 36 million
SALALAH: Dhofar Municipality is implementing a package of projects for the construction and paving of internal and dual carriageways across various wilayats of Dhofar Governorate during 2025, with total lengths estimated at over 300 kilometres and a cost exceeding RO 36 million. These efforts are part of its commitment to enhancing infrastructure and developing the local road network. The projects fall within the framework of the Governorates and Sustainable Cities Development Programme and the developmental projects implemented by Dhofar Municipality, in line with the national priorities of Oman Vision 2040. They aim to improve the quality of services provided to citizens, residents and visitors, and to facilitate movement between different residential areas, thereby supporting urban and economic development and enhancing traffic safety. The ongoing and completed works during the current year include the construction and paving of internal roads in the wilayats of Salalah, Taqah, Mirbat, Sadah, Shaleem and Al Hallaniyat Islands, Thamrait, Maqshin, Al Mazyouna, Rakhyout and Dhalkout, according to a timetable and technical standards that consider public safety requirements and infrastructure sustainability. Dr Ahmed bin Mohsin al Ghassani, Chairman of Dhofar Municipality, stated to Oman News Agency (ONA) that the Wilayat of Salalah is witnessing the implementation of internal road totalling approximately 161 kilometres in residential areas within the centre of the wilayat, the plain and the mountain, at a cost exceeding RO 9 million. Additionally, there is a dual carriageway project of Sultan Qaboos Street, with a length of 9 kilometres, which has reached 22 per cent completion, at a cost of RO 16.3 million. He added that the municipality will implement a project to pave 40 kilometres of internal roads in the Wilayat of Thamrait, along with a new project to dual Thamrait Street for 4.5 kilometres, including decorative lighting works, with a total cost for both projects reaching over RO 3 million. He also indicated that the municipality has begun implementing a project to pave 32 kilometres of internal roads in the Wilayat of Taqah (in the plain and mountain areas) at a cost of approximately RO 1.7 million, in addition to paving 20 kilometres of roads in the Wilayat of Mirbat at a cost of about RO 995,000, alongside the completion of the Mirbat Street dualisation project this year, spanning 3.5 kilometres, at an estimated cost of RO 1.96 million. He pointed out that the municipality has also commenced implementing a project for the construction and paving of 50 kilometres of internal roads distributed across the wilayats of Sadah, Shaleem and Al Hallaniyat Islands, Rakhyout, Dhalkout and Al Mazyouna, in addition to paving 15 kilometres of internal roads in the Wilayat of Maqshin. Dr Ahmed affirmed that these projects are part of the government's plan to implement service projects that directly impact the lives of citizens and contribute to achieving balanced urban development covering various wilayats of the governorate, in line with national plans for infrastructure development in the Sultanate of Oman's governorates. It is worth noting that Dhofar Municipality continues to carry out its work in a participatory approach that considers community needs and enhances the efficiency of municipal services and developmental projects in various sectors. - ONA
Observer
an hour ago
- Observer
Reimagining translation studies in Oman
In the last two decades, Oman has witnessed a growing demand for high-quality translation and interpretation services, driven by rapid globalisation, increasing government engagement in international diplomacy and the country's strategic vision under Oman Vision 2040. This rise underscores the urgent need to reassess how Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) prepare translators to meet both linguistic and technological demands. Recent research reveals a disconnect between academic training in Oman's universities and the real-world expectations of employers and translation clients. As the profession evolves, particularly through AI and digital transformation, HEIs must modernise their curricula, pedagogy and assessment strategies to reflect current industry needs. While translation is often associated with commercial language service providers (LSPs), in Oman it is increasingly embedded within institutional contexts. Ministries, universities, media outlets and judicial bodies frequently require in-house translation. However, a recent study conducted by Omani researchers shows that institutional translation practices often lack standardisation and quality control. Many public bodies rely on bilingual staff rather than professionally trained translators, which risks inconsistency, particularly in sensitive or technical contexts. Despite the profession's growing relevance, studies at institutions like the University of Nizwa indicate that many translation students face challenges with core linguistic competencies, especially translating from English into Arabic. Errors in syntax and journalistic language remain common. Survey findings further show that many students find existing translation courses overly theoretical, disconnected from professional realities and lacking specialisation in fields such as legal or media translation. To address this, HEIs should adopt task-based, practice-oriented pedagogies that expose students to authentic translation briefs, revision processes and performance-based assessments. Technology has also transformed the translation landscape. A recent study at Sultan Qaboos University found that many EFL students use AI and machine translation (MT) tools like Google Translate, DeepL, and ChatGPT for both learning and translating. While students benefit from their speed and accessibility, they also recognise their limitations regarding tone and contextual accuracy. Crucially, many students lack training in computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools and post-editing techniques — skills now essential in the industry. Translation departments must therefore offer courses in CAT tools, AI-assisted translation and post-editing practices. In today's market, digital literacy is no longer optional — it is a core competency. A nationwide study on practical training and job readiness found a strong link between real-world translation experience and professional success. Yet many students reported limited internship opportunities and weak institutional engagement. HEIs must institutionalise internships and service-learning components within translation programmes. By collaborating with ministries, NGOs, courts and media outlets, universities can provide students with supervised, hands-on translation assignments that also support national development goals. Such collaborations offer an added advantage: they enable HEIs to co-develop curricula that remain responsive to labour market needs. Gathering feedback from employers and alumni ensures that graduates are equipped with relevant and future-proof skills. Across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), attention is growing around translation education quality — especially in adopting technology and aligning programmes with employability frameworks. Bibliometric studies show a steady rise in research on translation pedagogy and curriculum reform, suggesting regional momentum. Institutions like Sultan Qaboos University, University of Nizwa and Al Zahra College are well-placed to lead in this area by developing interdisciplinary programmes that combine language, ethics, technology and institutional practice. Moreover, embedding soft skills training, such as critical thinking, time management and teamwork, is essential to prepare students for the collaborative and deadline-driven nature of today's industry. By reforming curricula, investing in technological training, embedding real-world experiences and working closely with industry, Oman's HEIs can ensure their graduates are not only employable but also positioned to support Oman's multilingual communication and global engagement. It is time to reimagine translation education — not as an academic formality, but as a national strategy vital to development, diplomacy and digital progress.
