VZCZCXRO1887
RR RUEHDE
DE RUEHMS #0172/01 0511215
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 201215Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY MUSCAT
TO RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHDC
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7830
INFO RUEHAD/AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI 0871
RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD 0038
RUEHDE/AMCONSUL DUBAI 0322
RHMFIUU/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 000172 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, EEB/TPP/ATT/ATP 
STATE PASS EPA FOR TPRATHER 
DUBAI FOR ATO DWILLIAMS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAGR ECON PREL KMPI MU
SUBJECT: AGRICULTURE MINISTRY GRAPPLES WITH WATER AND 
DISEASE CONCERNS 
 
------ 
Summary 
------- 
 
¶1. The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries identified water 
scarcity and disease control as top priorities for the 
Ministry in efforts to sustain employment in these 
historically important sectors.  The Minister further 
expressed interest in hosting a research facility that was 
initially destined for Iraq.  Action is requested in 
paragraph 10.  End Summary. 
 
-------------------------------- 
Agriculture Important to Economy 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶2. On February 19, the Ambassador reviewed Omani government 
efforts to promote sustainable agricultural and fisheries 
programs with Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Sheikh Salim 
bin Hilal al-Khalili.  Khalili noted that historically, 
agriculture has been an important component of the Omani 
economy.  Until the late 1960s, the agricultural and 
fisheries sectors dominated Omani production figures, 
especially in the area of date production.  These sectors 
still are of importance in terms of employment and tradition, 
though they make up only 2.6% of current GDP figures. Khalili 
remarked that approximately 250,000 families depend on 
agriculture and fisheries for their livelihood, representing 
80% of Oman's population. 
 
-------------------------------- 
Agriculture on the Sultan's Mind 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶3. For this reason, Khalili stated that agricultural reform 
has played a prominent role in the Sultan's current "Meet the 
People" tour.  During a recent three-day symposium held in an 
interior town of Oman, the Sultan urged sector leaders to 
modernize production techniques, halt the sale of 
agricultural fields, and reverse the trend of young Omanis 
leaving farms for work in the urban sector.  He declared, "We 
are not talking about an expansion in agriculture areas, but 
rather about preserving what we already have, about proper 
productivity, rationalization of water resources and the need 
to avoid damaging the soil by excessive usage of chemical 
fertilizers." 
 
---------------------- 
Water Use Top Priority 
---------------------- 
 
¶4. Khalili noted that, as the Sultan emphasized in his 
address, the key challenge facing the Ministry is the 
rationalization of water use for agricultural production. 
Currently, 90% of freshwater consumption in Oman is devoted 
to this sector.  Increasing salinity of the groundwater in 
the Batinah region has forced the government to consider 
other alternatives.  For example, last year the Ministry 
called for the transfer of green fodder cultivation from the 
Batinah region to the Nejd region of the Dhofar governorate, 
which holds an estimated five billion cubic meters of water. 
The Ministry is encouraging the production of low-water use 
crops in the fodder's place. 
 
¶5. Khalili noted that the Ministry has established a 
committee, consisting of members from the Ministries of 
Regional Municipalities, Environment, and Water Resources, 
Manpower, Housing and Water, and National Economy, to review 
current water usage in agriculture and establish benchmarks 
for the future use.  Echoing the Sultan's remarks, Khalili 
said that the Ministry was not looking to expand water use 
for agricultural purposes, but to rationalize what was 
already available.  "The value of water is very high," stated 
Khalili, "we must be very careful in evaluating the area of 
agricultural reserves." 
 
--------------------------- 
Weak Pest Control Bugs Oman 
--------------------------- 
 
¶6. In addition to water conservation, Khalili commented that 
disease control was another top priority.  Khalili was 
discouraged about the lack of cooperation with the United 
Arab Emirates in controlling diseases in the border areas of 
 
MUSCAT 00000172  002 OF 002 
 
 
Dibba and Buraimi.  He stated that the UAE allows the 
importation of horticultural products without proper 
inspection, which poses problems for Oman.  (Note: Oman 
places such products in quarantine before entering Oman. End 
note.)  He resigned himself to the fact that the Emirati 
Ministry of Agriculture did not place a high priority on pest 
control, noting that his overtures to proceed jointly on pest 
control efforts were falling on deaf ears. 
 
¶7. To assist in disease management efforts, Khalili raised 
the possibility of the U.S. government temporarily 
establishing a research lab in Oman that was originally 
destined for Iraq, but postponed due to poor security 
conditions.  The plan for the U.S.-supported laboratory was 
interalia to conduct research on diseases and insect 
infestations affecting date palms, especially pernicious 
"dabas" insect, which is a common problem in Oman.  He asked 
why the project couldn't be established in Oman, since Oman's 
agricultural production in the Jebel Akthar and Batinah 
regions closely mirror that of northern Iraq and Basrah, 
respectively.  Findings from research conducted at this 
proposed lab would benefit both Iraq and Oman, Khalili added. 
 
------------------------------ 
Promoting Women in Agriculture 
------------------------------ 
 
¶8. The Ambassador inquired about Ministry efforts to assist 
women in agricultural positions.  Khalili responded that the 
Ministry was active in assisting Omani women in the field in 
terms of education.  He also noted that the Ministry was 
instituting programs to provide women with cows, honeybees, 
chickens, and goats, along with the necessary training to 
produce goods from those animals. 
 
--------------------------------------- 
Fisheries Promotion an Expensive Effort 
--------------------------------------- 
 
¶9. Khalili also highlighted the Ministry's interest in 
augmenting its commercial fisheries sector.  Under the 
government's current five-year plan, emphasis has been placed 
on improving infrastructure and encouraging private sector 
participation in order to achieve 5% yearly growth targets. 
Khalili commented that the Ministry was moving forward on 
promoting fish production through the construction of three 
ports at Seeb, Suweiq, and Mirbat; however, costs were 
impeding progress.  Khalili remarked that the bids for the 
three projects have been more than double what was budgeted 
for construction.  The Minister faults the excessive cost 
estimates for the delay, but stated that he would go back to 
the Ministry of National Economy for a supplement to what had 
already been budgeted for the ports. 
 
-------------- 
Action Request 
-------------- 
 
¶10. Per the Minister's suggestion, Embassy requests 
Department, DOD and USDA assistance in confirming the 
reported offer of a U.S.-built agricultural research 
lab/station in Iraq and evaluating whether temporarily 
relocating the proposed Iraq research laboratory to Oman 
would be feasible, given the interest of Oman in hosting the 
facility, and the synergies that would accrue to the region 
as a result of the laboratory's work. 
GRAPPO