Aquaponics, or the combination of fish farming with vegetable cultivation, is fast catching up among farmers worldwide. The growing of fish and plants together in one integrated system is now being considered to be the future of agriculture, and Oman too has joined the league.

Al Arfan is the first-of-its kind aquaponics farm in Oman that was recently inaugurated in Barka under the auspices of Dr Fuad bin Jaafar Al Sajwani, the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries.

“It’s the biggest farm of its kind in the Sultanate. It covers both fisheries and agriculture. It also uses the latest technology to produce fish and vegetables of high quality, without pesticides or chemicals,” he said.