Agriculture and Livestock Five-Year Research Strategy, 2011-2015.

This Agriculture and Livestock Five-Year Research Strategy, 2011-2015 is a key document of the Directorate General of Agricultural and Livestock Research, which shows vision, mission and goals to improve the quality of research in the relevant priority areas in consonance with country’s vision 2020. Agriculture resources (indigenous plant genetic resources for food and agriculture) also contribute to food security The indigenous crops of Oman (wheat, barley, chickpea, dates, and lime) with traditional food value are cultivated in almost all regions are a strategic crops for food security as they form the base of Omani diet (5). Extensive greenhouse technology to grow vegetables crops ensures quality produce, enhances their availability in the market in off-times and rewards the income of farmers to contribute to food security in the country. Expected Outcomes of are: Enrichment of the date palm trees for their commercial use and maintain biodiversity of fruit tree crops for food security. In line with its objectives, the Directorate General of Agriculture & Livestock Research (DGALR) has formulated a Strategy with the following objectives: enhancement of agricultural and livestock sectors to support food security along with plant and animal genetic resources management, continued rehabilitation and construction of research infrastructures and capacity building in collaboration with national stakeholders and international organizations.
The Ministry of Agriculture developed plans and strategies through agricultural policies and regulations. As a result of concerted efforts in the activities, there is significant increase in the value of agricultural and livestock production: Increasing productivity per area using modern technologies for agricultural production inputs such as water and animal resources to sustainable development of agriculture, fertilizers and pesticides, seeds for important crops in different climatic conditions; estimating crop water requirements associated with the important crops, soil and water quantity and quality; improving the soil fertility and determine fertilizer rates according to the needs of plants; conducting research on diversified crops, vegetables and fruits (5). DGALR aims at national level to undertake research in agriculture and livestock industries and solve the problems faced in agriculture and livestock husbandry to increase crop and livestock production through sustainable agriculture for food security. In addition, these researches aim to conserve the environmental resources like water and soil, and plant and animal genetic resources. Agriculture and livestock research has a pivotal role in supporting agricultural development, which reflected positively on increasing the national production of crops and livestock and improving the livelihood of farming communities.
DGALR aims at the following activities: implementing the national strategy for the advancement of agricultural crops like date palm and wheat and livestock animals like goat and sheep of national significance; carrying out research in both the agricultural and livestock sectors; increasing productivity of major crops and main vegetables and fodder crops; using methods of breeding and genetic improvement to increase the productivity of agricultural crops and livestock; using advanced technologies such as biotechnology to improve the productivity of agricultural crops and livestock; conservation and management of biodiversity and genetic resources to ensure their sustainability; improving water-use efficiency of crops; using non-conventional irrigation water resources like saline water and tertiary treated wastewater in agricultural production, particularly for growing fodder crops, trees and pastoral shrubs; controlling pests and diseases of major field, vegetable and horticulture crops and livestock animals such as goat, sheep, cattle, camel and poultry. Undertaking studies on the social and economic feasibility of the research projects.