SALALAH: The Directorate General of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources in Dhofar Governorate is working tirelessly to address the declining coconut production in the Wilayats of Salalah and Taqah. The decline has been monitored by field teams, in cooperation with the Consumer Protection Authority and other relevant government agencies, who analysed the situation and identified various factors impacting the coconut crop.
Eng Muslim bin Salem Rafeet, Acting Director General of the Directorate General of Agricultural Wealth, Fisheries and Water Resources in Dhofar Governorate, highlighted that coconut production has been facing a significant decline over the past decade.
Several factors have contributed to this issue, including increased internal transportation of coconuts between governorates, incorrect agricultural practices, and the impact of pests like the coconut fruit mite and the coconut leaf beetle. Furthermore, low productivity during the winter months due to cold weather and the shrinking of agricultural areas due to land use changes have compounded the problem.
Despite these challenges, the Directorate remains committed to enhancing coconut production in the region. Efforts are focused on expanding coconut cultivation and proposing new investment sites suitable for planting.
Additionally, agricultural pest control operations are ongoing and there are plans to organise agricultural trading and marketing chains through local Omani companies to improve the trade environment for coconut growers.
Dhofar Governorate is historically known for its coconut production, particularly in the coastal areas where the climate is ideal for growing tropical fruit crops. The Salalah Agricultural Plain, which produces about 7,000 tonnes of coconut annually, is an important source of this crop, providing high nutritional value as well as economic, therapeutic and cosmetic benefits.
The Directorate is hopeful that with continued investment, strategic planning and a focus on sustainable practices, the challenges facing coconut production in Salalah will be overcome, leading to an increase in both quality and quantity. The efforts to address the decline are not only vital for the agricultural sector but also for the local economy and the broader community that depends on coconut cultivation for its livelihood. — ONA
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