干旱区生态环境知识资源中心

Arid climate and water scarcity are main hindering factors of crop cultivation in Oman. Arable land area is limited to 5.2% of total lands of 1.6 million ha, and which is fragmented to 150,000 land holdings and nearly 80% of them are small holdings limiting the efficient mechanization options. The 20% of large farms covers 29.4% of the arable land area, and thus possess the highest mechanization index. Nevertheless, Oman has shown potentials for agricultural crop production with the adoption of modern technologies. However, the medium and large farms although in numbers are small having good use of machinery and technology. There is an increasing trend of farmers moving to controlled environment agriculture in Oman including hydroponics and aquaponic systems with high value crops. Mechanization potentials in Oman is positive in a broader areas such as machinery and equipment needs for field crops and greenhouses, precision irrigation equipment, water treatment and desalination equipment and accessories etc. needing for higher efficiencies and capacities. Another important and priority requirement in the country is to develop the local skills in production, maintenance and service provisions of these machinery and equipment needs at appropriate costs. Government’s investment on skills development at local universities, technical colleges and vocational training institutes is necessary.