Student-made platform links farmers with retailers in Oman
Team member Mahmoud al Harmali said the idea emerged after observing the logistical challenges farmers face in taking their products to market. Many resort to selling at weekly markets or transporting goods outside the governorate, often leading to spoilage and delayed sales even as most retailers rely on imported produce, limiting demand for local harvests.
The team faced several challenges during development, including difficulties in reaching farm owners, many of whom delegate operations to expatriate workers. Online promotion of the platform also proved challenging, prompting a shift to direct field engagement, including early-morning visits to markets frequented by traders and vendors.
Haseed allows farmers to list fresh, locally grown produce and enables retailers to source directly from producers at fair prices. The platform includes a structured delivery system from farms to points of sale using smart tools to manage surplus inventory, reduce waste and improve yield efficiency. All items are currently sourced directly from farms within Dhahirah.
The project secured third place at Dhahirah Hackathon featuring more than 200 participants and 40 student-led innovations. The competition was evaluated by professionals in entrepreneurship and innovation.
The team is currently working on expanding the platform to other governorates.
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Observer
2 days ago
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'Haseed' links Al Dhahirah farmers with retailers
SUHAR: A student team from the University of Technology and Applied Sciences in Suhar has launched a digital platform named 'Haseed', designed to directly link farmers in Al Dhahirah Governorate with fruit and vegetable retailers. The initiative aims to streamline marketing processes, reduce waste and enhance the efficiency and quality of the local agricultural supply chain. 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
Muscat Daily
2 days ago
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Student-made platform links farmers with retailers in Oman
Suhar – A group of students from University of Technology and Applied Sciences, Suhar has developed a digital platform aimed at improving the agriculture supply chain in Dhahirah. Called Haseed, the platform seeks to connect farmers directly with fruit and vegetable retailers, enhancing market access and reducing produce waste. Team member Mahmoud al Harmali said the idea emerged after observing the logistical challenges farmers face in taking their products to market. Many resort to selling at weekly markets or transporting goods outside the governorate, often leading to spoilage and delayed sales even as most retailers rely on imported produce, limiting demand for local harvests. The team faced several challenges during development, including difficulties in reaching farm owners, many of whom delegate operations to expatriate workers. Online promotion of the platform also proved challenging, prompting a shift to direct field engagement, including early-morning visits to markets frequented by traders and vendors. Haseed allows farmers to list fresh, locally grown produce and enables retailers to source directly from producers at fair prices. The platform includes a structured delivery system from farms to points of sale using smart tools to manage surplus inventory, reduce waste and improve yield efficiency. All items are currently sourced directly from farms within Dhahirah. The project secured third place at Dhahirah Hackathon featuring more than 200 participants and 40 student-led innovations. The competition was evaluated by professionals in entrepreneurship and innovation. The team is currently working on expanding the platform to other governorates.
Times of Oman
3 days ago
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'Haseed" platform launched to connect Al Dhahirah farmers with retailers
Sohar: A student team from the University of Technology and Applied Sciences in Sohar has launched a digital platform named 'Haseed", designed to directly link farmers in Al Dhahirah Governorate with fruit and vegetable retailers. The initiative aims to streamline marketing processes, reduce waste, and enhance the efficiency and quality of the local agricultural supply chain. 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, as many delegate farm management to expatriate workers. 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 organized delivery system transporting produce from farms to stores, along with smart surplus management technology to minimize agricultural waste and maximize crop utilization. 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 the '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 startup that supports Oman's agricultural sector and empowers local farmers through innovative tech solutions.
