MUSCAT, SEPT 7
From the excessive mountain peaks the place wild thyme grows naturally, an formidable agricultural experiment has taken root in Wadi Al Sahtan, Wilayat of Al Rustaq, Al Batinah South Governorate.
Omani farmer Khalfan bin Hamoud al Khatri and his sons have efficiently transferred the wild plant from its pure mountain habitat to a cultivated atmosphere with comparable circumstances. What started 4 years in the past with simply three seedlings has grown right into a promising venture with round 100,000 seedlings, highlighting the potential of Oman’s native vegetation as an agricultural useful resource.
The thought started throughout a go to to the mountains of Wadi Al Sahtan, the place the household determined to carry three thyme seedlings again to their farm and experiment with cultivating them outdoors their pure habitat.
Hamoud bin Khalfan al Khatri, proprietor of the thyme cultivation venture, stated the preliminary effort was merely an experiment to see whether or not the mountain plant may adapt to a cultivated atmosphere.
“We introduced three seedlings from the mountains to the farm. It was initially simply an concept and an experiment that we needed to attempt,” he stated.
The experiment steadily developed because the household realized extra in regards to the plant’s necessities and created circumstances that carefully resemble its pure habitat.
Propagation has been carried out by means of floor layering, permitting the vegetation to determine and produce new progress. The method required steady care and energy, notably in adapting the plant to its new atmosphere.
The household initially tried rising the thyme at dwelling, however the vegetation didn’t carry out nicely. They later moved them to the present farm location, the place the circumstances proved extra appropriate.
The venture at the moment covers a couple of and a half acres, with plans to develop the cultivated space as demand will increase. The household can be working to extend manufacturing and develop extra advertising channels.
The cultivated vegetation, in accordance with the venture homeowners, have retained the traits of the wild thyme, together with its style and aroma.
“It has the identical high quality, traits, style and aroma. The truth is, the vegetation right here might profit from better care and a focus than these rising within the mountains,” Hamoud stated.
Khalfan al Khatri stated the household’s expertise had demonstrated the plant’s capability to adapt when appropriate circumstances have been offered.
Thyme additionally has an extended custom of use amongst native communities, forming a part of the pure and cultural heritage related to Oman’s mountain areas. The household stated the plant continues to be valued for its conventional makes use of.
Past cultivation, the venture has developed right into a small agricultural enterprise. The thyme is marketed by means of native markets, chosen outlets and social media, whereas direct gross sales to guests present one other outlet.
“We promote it in native markets, present it to some outlets and market it by means of social media. We additionally obtain guests on the farm day by day,” Khalfan stated.
The farm has steadily develop into an attraction for guests from completely different components of Oman and from overseas, including an agricultural tourism dimension to the venture.
“There was robust curiosity within the farm, and it has develop into a vacationer vacation spot. We obtain guests from Oman and from outdoors the nation,” he stated.
With plans for additional growth, the venture represents a promising instance of how Oman’s plant heritage may be preserved and remodeled right into a sustainable agricultural enterprise.
