November 30, 2023
Omani Bioproducts Company invests US$96 million in aquatic animal feed factory
The Omani Bioproducts Company is set to facilitate the construction of a factory dedicated to the production of animal feed for aquatic organisms in three phases within the Khazaen Economic City, with an estimated investment cost of OMR 37 million (US$96 million), The Times of Oman reported.
The overarching objective of the initiative is to capitalise on agricultural and biological by-products, transforming them into specialised value-added products while recycling date by-products, encompassing date kernels, pulp, and palm fronds.
Anticipated to yield approximately 100,000 tonnes annually of alternative grass feed derived from agricultural residues enriched with dates, the project will also contribute around 300,000 tonnes annually of marine life feeds tailored for the cultivation of shrimp and fish in cages.
The utilisation of locally available raw materials positions the project to meet the requirements of newly established food security initiatives, spanning red meat, dairy products, aquaculture, and marine agriculture. Additionally, the project is poised to cater to the export market.
Haitham bin Shakhbout Al Saadi, vice chairman of the board of directors of the Omani Bioproducts Company, said that the venture aligns with the company's commitment to realising the objectives of the "Oman 2040" vision. By adopting circular and bioeconomy concepts and leveraging locally available raw materials, the project aims to economically, sustainably, and environmentally responsibly produce a range of products, including animal feed for aquatic organisms.
Established through a partnership between the Nakheel Oman Development Company and the Omani Mills Group, affiliates of the Oman Food Investment Holding Company group, the Omani Bioproducts Company exemplifies collaborative efforts among entities owned by the Oman Investment Authority. It operates in strategic partnership with the Omani Environmental Services Holding Company and has the support of Oman’s Ministry of Agricultural Wealth, Fisheries, and Water Resources.
- Times of Oman
