Khareef brings forth varied fruits and vegetables on Salalah plain

Salalah Agricultural Plain is one of the major agricultural areas in the Governorate of Dhofar. Its crops contribute to the productivity of the agricultural sector in the sultanate, which is considered an important sector and one of the sources of public income.

The Salalah Plain is characterised by abundance of agricultural crops, most notably coconut, papaya and banana, which need appropriate climatic conditions of the tropical and subtropical regions with moderate temperate and humid weather.

The climatic conditions found on Salalah Plain have resulted in the growth of different types of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and grasses.

Moderate temperatures prevail in the Governorate of Dhofar throughout the year. The Dhofar weather is affected by monsoon rains, locally called ‘khareef’ associated by heavy clouds and fog. It runs from June to September every year while temperatures reach their lowest in winter at about 15°C.

The Salalah Plain is rich in many fruits and vegetables, including coconuts, papayas, bananas, lemons, sugarcane, guavas, pomegranates, raspberries and avocados, in addition to tomatoes, as well as maize, pepper, zucchini, cucumber, eggplant, watercress, lettuce, sweet potatoes and legumes.
 

The coconut comes in the forefront of agricultural crops and constitutes the largest cultivated area in Salalah Plain, which is characterised by continuous production throughout the year.