Sultanate witnesses 1.3pc rise in cultivated area

The minister reported that the percentage contribution of the agricultural and fishery sectors to the GDP in 2015 reached 6.1 per cent, a high percentage compared to the GCC and global figures.

He detailed the challenges of the agricultural and fisheries sector, which includes limited water resources, decline in available agricultural land, fragmented agricultural fields, poor cropping pattern causing erosion of soil and depletion of water resources and unskilled expatriates, limited government sector investments and the reluctance of young Omanis for agricultural work.

In addition, he added that the basic weakness of marketing infrastructure and high wastage rates is challenging.

The minister stated that the agricultural and fisheries sector offers several opportunities due to its advantages such as large fish stocks and livestock estimated at more than 4.3 million and its growth rates and promising 6.7 million palm trees, owing to the strategic geographic location and diversity of climatic and environmental privileges.

The FAO has been a strategic partner in the agriculture and fisheries sector in Oman.

Regarding the Agricultural Sector and Fisheries (2020/2040) Strategy, he pointed out that sustainable agriculture and rural development strategy preparation (2040) and investment (2020-2016) and joint coordination between the national team and FAO has led to the development of the fisheries sector strategy preparation (2013-2020), and the strategy for the development of the fisheries sector (2040-2020).

It has activated joint coordination between the national team and the World Bank.

All these initiatives have enabled drawing a roadmap for the advancement of sustainable agricultural sectors and fisheries until 2040.

The minister expects to achieve high rates of self-sufficiency in food commodities after the completion of major investment projects, and items like dates, fish are expected to achieve self-sufficiency by increasing 100 per cent by 2020.