Muscat:The Sultanate of Oman participated in the celebration of Arab Agriculture Day, emphasizing the significance of sustainable rangeland management. This year's theme focused on the importance of Arab rangeland sustainability as a cornerstone for sustainable agricultural development and resource conservation for future generations. Rangelands play a critical role in livestock support, natural resource preservation, and the stability of rural and pastoral communities.
According to Oman News Agency, Eng. Mansour Hamoud Al Wadhahi, Assistant Director General for Agricultural Development at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, detailed the challenges facing sustainable rangeland management due to climate change, fluctuating rainfall, rising temperatures, and other environmental pressures. He highlighted the need for modern technologies to monitor and manage rangeland conditions.
Al Wadhahi also noted that natural rangelands are vital resources that connect humans, land, livestock, and ecosystems across the Arab world. They provide essential feed for livestock, help preserve vegetation cover and soil, support biodiversity, and combat land degradation and desertification. These rangelands also offer income sources for rural and pastoral communities.
In Oman, diverse environmental and geographical factors have led to various rangeland and pastoral systems, from mountainous and desert regions to seasonal systems in Dhofar Governorate. The Sultanate has long recognized the importance of natural rangelands, resulting in legislative measures like the Law on Rangelands and Livestock Management.
Initiatives such as the Rangeland Resting Initiative in Dhofar Governorate aim to curb degradation and restore approximately 10,000 hectares of land through regulated grazing and resting practices. Al Wadhahi emphasized the need for proactive rangeland management using remote sensing, GIS, satellite imagery, and climate data to build comprehensive databases for effective resource management.
The Assistant Director General stressed that rangeland sustainability is essential for livestock and production costs. The decline in productive capacity increases feed costs and water resource pressures, impacting pastoral communities. Estimated livestock numbers in Oman reached about 4 million head in 2024, with local production figures underscoring the economic significance of rangelands.
Finally, Al Wadhahi highlighted the transnational nature of challenges facing Arab rangelands, advocating for strengthened Arab cooperation. By sharing expertise, data, and successful experiences, regional collaboration can support the sustainability of pastoral resources and develop practical partnerships for mutual benefit.
