Natural is the in-thing these days when it comes to cultivation, thanks to the global awareness about the ill-effects of overuse of chemicals, fertilisers and pesticides in farming. It is this awareness that has given an impetus to organic farming, which implies growing food without the use of pesticides, fertilisers and growth hormones. In this type of agriculture, crops are cultivated in “safe soil” without any modifications or tinkering with the nature. Since health is something that concerns all, governments around the world are going all-out to promote organic farming. The Sultanate, of course, is no exception.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, in cooperation with the authorities concerned, has endeavoured to adopt organic farming through research and development that contribute to the promotion of this type of agriculture. The ministry has made good strides in the use of “bio-resistance” to combat agricultural pests such as pomegranate and white fly fruit, as well as the use of pumpkin crops that are resistant to the Fusarium crown rot by vaccinating them.
Efforts have been made to adopt salt-tolerant wheat varieties as well as organic fertilisers in the production of tomatoes and bananas.
It has also been encouraging the use of mycorrhiza, a type of fungi used as quality and growth enhancers, to stimulate palm tree growth.
A few weeks ago, the Masrooq farm in Ibri, Al Dhahirah Governorate, was totally switched to organic cultivation. Focusing on organic dates, it is expected to be the largest organic farm in the world, producing 10,000 tonnes of organic dates every year. It has some 100,000 date palms growing in an area of 6.4 million square metres.
The Royal Gardens and Farms are pioneers in the production of organic vegetables and fruits certified under the European Union’s organic farming rules and standards. It cultivates these crops in an area of 115 acres in four farms in A’Seeb, Suhar, Salalah and Al Jabal Al Akhdar.
Besides, there is a special plant in Haradi, Barka, which produces compost, an important input in organic farming.
Globally, 160 countries are engaged in organic farming, according to a survey conducted in 2010 by Swiss Organic Research Institute (FIBL) and International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM).
A total of 37 million hectares of land is under organic cultivation around the world. Besides, 1.6 million farmers or investors have adopted this form of agriculture.
Australia is world’s No. 1 in terms of the area under organic farming. A total of 12 million hectares are dedicated to organic farming in Australia, followed by Europe (10 million hectares), Latin America (8.4 million), Asia (2.8 million), North America (2.7 million), Africa (1.1 million).
Although organic products are high-priced compared with the others, many prefer them because they are chemical-free and healthy.
Organic farming is better for the environment because it reduces air, water and soil pollution. It also conserves water, reduces soil erosion, increases fertility and uses less energy.
Farming without pesticides, which are toxic, is also good for birds and animals as well as people living near these farms.
Zainab al Nassri
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