MUSCAT, OMAN — Omani Bioproducts Co. plans to construct an RO 37 million ($96.13 million) animal feed and aquafeed factory in three phases at the Khazaen Economic City in Muscat, Oman, as part of national efforts to improve food security for the country of 4.5 million people.

The factory is expected to produce about 100,000 tonnes annually of alternative grass feed made from agricultural residues enriched with dates, and about 300,000 tonnes annually of marine animal feed for shrimp and fish cultured in cages.

The project plans to use agricultural and biological byproducts to make specialized value-added products and recycle date byproducts, which include date kernels, pulp and palm fronds. Using locally available raw materials, the project intends to serve food security projects in red meat, dairy products, aquaculture and marine agriculture production while supplying export markets.

The tender for construction of the facility was issued in June, and the contract is expected to be awarded before the end of the year, the company said, with equipment already arriving on site.

The project comes within the framework of the company’s efforts to contribute to the goals of the “Oman 2040” vision, according to Haitham bin Shakhbout Al Saadi, vice chairman of the board of directors of the Omani Bioproducts, employing the concepts of the circular and bioeconomy to use local raw materials in an economical, sustainable and environmentally friendly manner.