MAFWR and FAO implement 7 projects worth $2.3m in Oman
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MAFWR) last week said the ministry, in cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), currently has seven projects in cooperation with the private sector companies and the Green Climate Fund (CGF) — the world’s largest climate fund.
Valued at around $2,335,819, the projects were revisited last week during the visit of Qu Dongyu, Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations. He was met by Dr Saud bin Hamoud al Habsi, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, at the ministry’s general office in Muscat. These projects include:
1. Small pelagic fisheries management plan project in the Sultanate of Oman.
2. Project to improve ship monitoring systems (VMS) in the Sultanate of Oman.
3. Project to get rid of expired pesticides (second phase).
4. A project to enhance the capabilities of small and medium enterprises in the bee products industry in Oman.
5. Empowering groups of women producers in the Dhofar Governorate by strengthening the value chain of camel milk and its derivatives.
6. A project to build a resilient environment and sustainable agricultural, water and fish resources to adapt to climate changes in the Sultanate of Oman.
7. Development research project for the production and propagation of pest-free citrus seedlings.
The meeting also included the signing of an agreement between the Sultanate of Oman and the FAO to implement the strategic partnership programme under the Southsouth Cooperation (SSC) and Triangular Cooperation (TRC) strategies.
This agreement comes in the framework of joint cooperation and the desire of both parties to further strengthen their cooperation for a more efficient, effective and innovative partnership, supporting activities that are in line with the organisation’s mission and the sustainable development priorities, contributing to the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals 2030.
The agreement aims to enhance the strategic cooperation between the Government of the Sultanate of Oman and the FAO to develop general terms and conditions regarding the voluntary government contributions to the organisation, as well as the contributions of the FAO in the form of the provision of technical and scientific experience.
It also includes the methods of cooperation between the southern countries and the triangular cooperation — a framework for development cooperation between two or more developing countries, along with other development stakeholders, engage in cooperation and mutually beneficial exchanges with the support of one or more developed countries and/or a multilateral organisation.
The agreement has the overall goal of supporting sustainable development of agriculture in Oman and contributing to the FAO’S efforts to assist member states to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Plan.