Latest news with #YaqoubbinKhalfanalBusaidy
Observer
29-06-2025
- Business
- Observer
Workshop highlights best practices in integrated fish farming
MUSCAT: A regional workshop titled 'Development of Integrated Freshwater Aquaculture' was held in Muscat, focusing on best practices and modern technologies in integrated fish farming. The event is held under the auspices of Eng Yaqoub bin Khalfan al Busaidy, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources for Fisheries. The two-day seminar discussed the requirements for integrated fish farming, Oman's experiences, and advanced technologies such as elevator and biofloc systems, including maintaining fish quality, technical practices before and after harvesting, boosting production, and managing diseases in aquaculture farms. Dr Issa bin Mohammed al Farsi, Director of the Aquaculture Development Department at the ministry, in his speech emphasised that aquaculture is a key pillar supporting fish production in Oman. The sector has strong potential to attract local and international investments and meet the needs of small-scale farmers and producers. He highlighted that fish farming significantly contributes to food security and rural development in the Sultanate of Oman. In 2007, Oman, in collaboration with FAO, developed a national strategy for sustainable aquaculture development, followed by a sector vision with the World Bank in 2015 aligned with 'Oman Vision 2040'. Dr Al Farsi explained that integrated aquaculture combines traditional farming with fish farming, maximising land and water use to improve farmers' economic returns. As of 2024, Oman has 24 licenced integrated fish farms, producing 498 tonnes of tilapia valued at approximately RO 746,000. Organised by the ministry in cooperation with FAO, this seminar implements decisions from the first 2025 meeting of the Aquaculture Committee. The workshop aims to equip farmers with optimal integrated farm management techniques, improve production and quality in freshwater aquaculture, promote best harvesting and marketing practices, and facilitate knowledge sharing among participants. — ONA
Observer
25-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
Food security forum explores innovation support, capacity building
MUSCAT: The Sustainable Food Security Forum, held on Sunday in Muscat under the theme "Innovation in Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture", examined practical and innovative solutions to enhance productivity and efficiency in vital sectors linked to food security. The event focused on fostering integration between these sectors, promoting sustainability, supporting innovation and entrepreneurship, and building national capabilities. Organised under the auspices of Eng Yaqoub bin Khalfan al Busaidy, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources for Fisheries, the forum aligns with national efforts to achieve Oman Vision 2040. This vision aims to build a diversified and sustainable economy based on innovation and advanced technology, with a focus on natural resource sustainability as a cornerstone for strengthening food security systems. The forum addressed four main themes: innovation in agricultural sustainability, sustainable fisheries development, water resource management, and capacity building alongside innovation and entrepreneurship support. Running parallel to the forum, an Innovation in Food Security Exhibition showcased over 30 pioneering projects presented by students, graduates and start-ups. The event also featured advisory sessions with specialised experts and highlighted national success stories. Through the participation of speakers, academics and specialists from various government and private entities and universities, the forum seeks to support national initiatives, strengthen public-private partnerships, attract investments and provide an interactive platform for dialogue and knowledge exchange. These efforts aim to enhance Oman's food security framework for future generations. - ONA
Observer
17-04-2025
- Science
- Observer
Food Safety Conference from April 21
Muscat: The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MoAFWR), represented by the Food Safety and Quality Centre, in cooperation with the government agencies concerned with food safety, is organising the 7th Oman International Food Safety and Quality Conference at the Oman Exhibition and Convention Centre (OCEC) from April 21 to 23. The three-day high level conference and discussion sessions will see a number of prominent local and international speakers and experts from several government and private agencies from across the world kick start discussions and debates on special topics on the efforts and challenges facing countries in their quest to ensure food safety and quality, according to Eng Yaqoub bin Khalfan al Busaidy, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources for Fisheries, Chairman of the Main Committee for Food Safety Week. On the first day, speech on 'Addressing resilience of food systems globally — the indispensable transformation', will be organised while the key topic of 'Modernising food safety and quality control and oversight — Role of new technologies and Artificial Intelligence' will be discussed as part of the second session. This session will review the role of modern technology in developing innovative solutions that enhance food safety and quality, including but not limited to Modern traceability systems, novel methods used to improve production, storage and distribution processes, as well as using smart sensing technologies that support rapid detection of contaminants The third session on 'Food Fraud' will be dedicated to reviewing methods and approaches supporting efforts to ascertain authenticity of food products, inputs such as pesticides and processes, thus contributing to the protection of consumers' health and confidence in food products available for sale. 'Such efforts are also associated with the reduction of the rate of food loss and waste; and would contribute positively to national economies overall. This session will review food quality management processes and analytical methods used to verify food authenticity and to detect adulterated or counterfeit ingredients, including Mass Spectrometry-based techniques, Infrared spectroscopy (IR), Genetic analysis and sensory or organoleptic tests,' said Dr Hussain, Director General of Food Safety and Quality Center.
Observer
16-04-2025
- Health
- Observer
Oman hosts 7th Food Safety Conference from April 21
MUSCAT: The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MoAFWR), represented by the Food Safety and Quality Centre, in cooperation with the government agencies concerned with food safety, is organising the 7th Oman International Food Safety and Quality Conference at the Oman Exhibition and Convention Centre (OCEC) from April 21 to 23. The three-day high level conference and discussion sessions will see a number of prominent local and international speakers and experts from several government and private agencies from across the world kick start discussions and debates on special topics on the efforts and challenges facing countries in their quest to ensure food safety and quality, according to Eng Yaqoub bin Khalfan al Busaidy, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources for Fisheries, Chairman of the Main Committee for Food Safety Week. On the first day, speech on 'Addressing resilience of food systems globally — the indispensable transformation', will be organised while the key topic of 'Modernising food safety and quality control and oversight — Role of new technologies and Artificial Intelligence' will be discussed as part of the second session. This session will review the role of modern technology in developing innovative solutions that enhance food safety and quality, including but not limited to Modern traceability systems, novel methods used to improve production, storage and distribution processes, as well as using smart sensing technologies that support rapid detection of contaminants The third session on 'Food Fraud' will be dedicated to reviewing methods and approaches supporting efforts to ascertain authenticity of food products, inputs such as pesticides and processes, thus contributing to the protection of consumers' health and confidence in food products available for sale. "Such efforts are also associated with the reduction of the rate of food loss and waste; and would contribute positively to national economies overall. This session will review food quality management processes and analytical methods used to verify food authenticity and to detect adulterated or counterfeit ingredients, including Mass Spectrometry-based techniques, Infrared spectroscopy (IR), Genetic analysis and sensory or organoleptic tests," said Dr Hussain, Director General at the Quality Assurance at the Ministry, adding, "Determining food authenticity is the process of verifying the validity and truthfulness of claims related to the characteristics or the source of food ingredients and products." A large group of experts, academicians, think tanks and specialists in food safety, security and other areas of the food sector will join the experts from Oman over the three days brainstorming the challenges and other aspects of food safety, the MoAFWR informed.
