For those living along the1700km-long Oman coastline, fishing has been the traditional livelihood, supporting (with agriculture) nearly 80 per cent of the population before oil was discovered. Employing 30,000 people even today, fisheries are maturing as an industry that can significantly contribute to the non-oil economy.
Fisheries today contribute RO50.7mn to Oman’s GDP. The Ministry of...
Livestock
Oman is a leading livestock producer in the Arabian peninsula with around 317,000 sheep, 959,000 goats, 284,000 cattle and 120,000 camels. Over 70% of the cattle and camels are reared in Dhofar where nearly two thirds of the population depend on animal husbandry for their livelihood. However, Dhofar only holds 26% of the total livestock in Oman. Grazing lands are coming under increasing...
Oman is one of the most important countries in the Middle East engaged in fishing for hundreds of years. The country’s coastline has rich fishing grounds. Fish export business is a significant earner of foreign exchange to the national economy, ranking second after oil exports and first among the non-oil exports. The fisheries sector is expected to contribute around two per cent to the gross...
INTRODUCTION
Aflaj (sing. falaj) are the main source of irrigation water in Oman beside wells. They are utilized in agriculture as well as for domestic use since ancient times. Similar systems are present in neighboring Arabian countries and in Persia where it is considered by literature the origin of falaj or Qanat irrigation system. The Falaj is a system of tapping underground water which is...
FOR the estimated 100,000-odd tourists and visitors who will descend on Salalah during the current khareef season, the visit is not just an opportunity to witness a unique natural phenomenon, but also to savour the vibrancy of a city in full monsoon splendour.
For, Salalah and the wider Dhofar region is unlike any other part of the Arabian peninsula, blessed as it is with nature's bounty that...
Labouring over a traditional outdoor oven, Hamed al Maawali has every reason to be upbeat despite the swelter and drudgery that usually goes with the job of preparing the busur crop (dates harvested just before they begin to ripen).
Last year, he sold several tonnes of busur dates, which at RO 350 per tonne, guarantee rich pickings for just a couple of days’ toil. This year, with a bumper date...
THIS article explains the problem of WBDL, its root causes, various collaborative research efforts and possible solutions. Citrus and mango are the major tropical fruits worldwide. They occupy significant positions in the culture and traditions of the Middle East and Asia.
An international symposium on tropical fruits, focusing on citrus and mango, is currently in session at SQU in which more...