Al Najd Agricultural Town, these days within the early making plans and building phases in Dhofar Governorate, will function an city centre designed for a inhabitants of 13,000 citizens whilst developing an estimated 6,500 new jobs around the 5-square-kilometre building.
The figures have been printed on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, by means of design specialists tasked by means of the Ministry of Housing and City Making plans with creating detailed masterplan designs for a self-sustaining agricultural building constructed on Al Najd’s fertile land and tailored to the area’s distinctive environmental stipulations.
Well known British structure, engineering, and design studio Foster + Companions, running in collaboration with Dar Al Handasah, the Oman-based global multidisciplinary consultancy, stated in a commentary that Al Najd Agricultural Town will even transform Oman’s first zero-waste agricultural building.
“Informed by history and driven by technology, the masterplan will create a healthy and self-sufficient heart for the region. Our design is grounded in agricultural innovation and nurtures community to create a truly sustainable and resilient locale, which will serve future generations,” commented Stefan Behling, Head of Studio at Foster + Companions.
Sponsored by means of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Sources, the Sultanate’s flagship agricultural town additionally seeks to advance meals safety and agricultural innovation whilst supporting financial diversification.
In line with Foster + Companions, the rural town is deliberate in layers, with clusters of oblong farms of various sizes (10 to 200 hectares) radiating outward from a compact central the town. Agricultural spaces also are built-in into parks, streets, and public areas, giving town a robust inexperienced identification.
On the centre, there might be shaded walkways, public shipping hyperlinks, and key amenities equivalent to faculties, hospitals, cultural and non secular constructions, stores, and recreational areas. It’s going to even be connected to close by regional hubs and farms to reinforce meals manufacturing methods and toughen long-term financial enlargement.
Consistent with the challenge’s distinctly agricultural focal point, a workforce of agricultural mavens has been tasked with deciding on vegetation absolute best suited for Al Najd’s soil and climatic stipulations. The record comprises date fingers, greenhouse tomatoes, and commercial vegetation used for uncooked fabrics. The initiative additionally goals to toughen exports and agro-processing, together with dried and frozen meals, oils, compost, and fertilisers.
Moreover, the challenge will incorporate fashionable farming strategies equivalent to coloration nets to keep an eye on warmth and daylight, agrivoltaics combining solar power era with crop manufacturing, and aquaponics methods that recycle water and vitamins. Complex methods can be used to optimise water and effort control.
Water for agriculture will come from more than one resources, together with groundwater, rainwater accrued by the use of mountain dams, and desalinated seawater. The challenge will moderately arrange irrigation and prioritise water-efficient vegetation, the design specialists stated.
“Guided by the region’s unique landscape and climate, we have embedded sustainable strategies within the masterplan that help create strong connections between people, place, and nature,” stated Stephanie Tunka, Spouse at Foster + Companions.
