Date palm is the primary crop in the Sultanate of Oman and represents ... diversity of Oman, many crops can be grown from temperate fruit crops in the northern.
Improvement of Date Palm Production in the Sultanate of Oman Rashid Al-Yahyai Department of Crop Sciences, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 34, Al-Khod 123 Oman Abstract The Sultanate of Oman is located in the south-eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula. The general climate is hot and arid with an average of 100 mm of rainfall per year. High temperatures leads to high rates of evapotranspiration during most of the year. Date palm is the primary crop in the Sultanate of Oman and represents 82% of all fruit trees in the country. Irrigation using scarce water resources is practiced in all date producing regions of Oman. Soil and water salinity, pests and diseases, increased production costs as well as limited market outlets led to a decline in date production in recent years. This paper presents ways to improve date palm production in Oman. Factors that adversely affect date palm production are discussed and solutions are proposed to increase total production of dates in Oman. INTRODUCTION Agricultural Production in the Sultanate of Oman The Sultanate of Oman is located in the south-eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula. This region is classified as arid hence it receives an average of 100 mm of annual rainfall (Fig. 1). Due to high evapotranspiration rates and low rainfall amount and frequency, agriculture is dependent on irrigation using scarce underground water resources. The amount of water reservoirs in Oman is estimated to be 1168 million m3 (Al-Gheilani and Al-Mulla, 2006). Agriculture uses 92% or 1124 million m3 of all water resources (Al Sulaiman and Al Wohaibi, 2006). Due to the topographic and climatic diversity of Oman, many crops can be grown from temperate fruit crops in the northern mountains of al Jabal al Akhdar to tropical fruits in the southern province of Dhofar. Data on agricultural area and production of vegetables, fruits, field crops and fodder crops are shown in Fig. 2. Fruit crops occupy the largest area, 48%, with an estimated 41958 ha in 2004 according to the Ministry of National Economy (MNE, 2005) with a total fruit production of 292,720 metric tonnes (MT). Date palm is the primary fruit crop in the country and it constitutes 82% of all fruit crops in Oman. DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS Date Production of the Sultanate of Oman The Sultanate of Oman contributes a significant amount of dates to the world market. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nation (FAO, 2006), in 2005 Oman was ranked the eighth largest date palm producing country in the world with a total production of 238,000 MT. According to a 2004 national agricultural census conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF), date palm occupied 48% of the total cultivated area of fruits, vegetables, field and fodder crops (MAF, 2006). The total number of date palm trees in 2004 was 7,795,786 (MAF, 2006), which represented 82% of all fruit crops grown in Oman. The largest production area of date palm in Oman is al Batinah, which in 2004 had 41.87% of all date palm trees in the country (Table 1), and 45.85% of the total date production (Table 2) (MAF, 2005, 2006). There are about 200 cultivated varieties of date palm in Oman. Thirty out of the 200 varieties produce high quality dates that are consumed fresh or processed. Table 2 shows the top ten varieties that contributed to over 70% of the country’s date production in 2004. Proc. IIIrd IC on Date Palm Eds: A. Zaid et al. Acta Hort 736, ISHS 2007
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Economic Value of Dates in the Sultanate of Oman Although Oman is one of the largest producers of dates in the world, as indicated above, its export share was only 1.4% of date palm exported in 2004 (Table 3) (FAO, 2006). According to MAF (2005), the average amount of exported Omani dates during 2003 and 2004 was 9,000 MT or 4% of all dates produced (Table 4). Within Oman, the majority of dates are used for human consumption (51%), while animal consumption constitutes 22% of all dates produced (Table 4). By comparing these values to the dates produced in Oman, there is an estimated 52,000 MT of excess dates that represent 23% of the total date production. This surplus date production represents an opportunity for enhancing the export market of Omani dates in the world. Future Prospects for Enhancing Date Production and Export 1. Date Processing and By-product Utilization. Several studies have shown that Omani dates vary in their physical properties and chemical composition including the amounts of sucrose, reducing sugars and fibers (Myhara et al., 1999; Myhara et al., 2000). These physical and chemical properties are affected by several factors related to field operations such as pollination and fertilization (Haffar et al., 1997; El Mardi et al., 2002) and to fruit quality such as moisture content (Rahman and Al-Farsi, 2005). Therefore it is essential to select the appropriate varieties for processing and for manufacturing date by-products. Aspects of certain date processing and by-product utilization of dates need further refinement. These include development of date confectionary, utilization of date palm products in animal feed, and making coffee-substitute drinks from roasted date pits. 2. Marketing. It is essential for government agencies such as the Omani Chamber of Commerce and Industry and date manufacturers to explore new markets and to raise the standard of quality of exported dates in order to be competitive in the world date market. In addition, new date products need further investigation and industrial promotion to utilize the excess dates produced. 3. Factors Limiting Date Palm Production and Utilization. Many factors may have contributed to the reduction of dates from 2001 when the amount of dates produced was 298,000 MT to the 2005 levels of 238,000 MT. Among them is the availability of skilled labor to carry out field operations, pests and diseases, degradation of soil and water quality, and harvest and post-harvest losses. Labor Costs. Date palm requires several labor-intensive management practices including pollination, pruning and harvesting throughout the year. The current total workforce in agriculture, hunting and forestry is 6.63% of the total workforce (736, 624) (MNE, 2005). This is approximately 1 person per 200 date palm trees. Because of labor shortage, the production cost has increased in recent years. Training of expatriate and local date palm workers is important for maintenance of economically productive trees. Pests and Diseases. The Dubas bug (Ommatissus lybicus Bergevin, Hemiptera: Tropiduchidae) is the most destructive pest in date producing regions of Oman. Despite annual spraying of over 21,000 L of insecticides to combat this pest (MNE, 2005), it has become more difficult to control. An integrated pest management approach might lead to control of this insect pest in areas where pesticide spraying is ineffective. Another pest that threatens date palm production in Oman is the red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier, Coleoptera: Curculionidae). This pest was first detected in 1993 and has been controlled and confined to the north-western boarders of the country. To maintain low infestation levels of this insect pest, appropriate measures such as inter-state quarantine and periodic monitoring should be implemented. In addition, implementing integrated pest management practices is expected to prevent future potential outbreaks of existing insect pests (Murphy and Briscoe, 1999). Soil and Water Degradation. Agriculture is the largest consumer of water resources in Oman. It is estimated that irrigation of agricultural crops consumes 92% of the country’s water resources (Al Sulaiman and Al Wohaibi, 2006). Decreasing water table and increased water salinity were attributed to saline water intrusion (Al Sulaiman and Al Wohaibi, 2006; Al Barwani and Aboulk A’ata, 2006). Salinity due to sea-water intrusion 338
into ground water in the largest date production region, al Batinah, has contributed to a decline in dates produced in the country. Results of a study that monitored 537 wells in al Batinah region over a period of 12 years, showed a gradual increase in salinity levels to reach 47% of the wells (Al Barwani and Aboulk A’ata, 2006). Modern irrigation systems to replace the dominant basin-flood irrigation systems are needed in date growing regions of Oman to conserve the limited underground water reservoirs. Another constraint facing date palm production is soil desertification. Desertification occurs in regions bordering the coastal line, the Empty Quarters and al Sharqiah Sands. Desertification in these regions is expanding due to abandonment of many date farms and reduced fertility of these soils. Lower soil fertility is possibly due to low use of fertilizers by date growers, especially synthetic fertilizers. However, little has been done on characterization of local practices of irrigation and fertilizer application in date palm growing regions of Oman (Luedeling, 2005). Research aimed at evaluating current soil and water management in date palm production areas is important to provide suitable recommendations for improving management practices. Harvest and Post-harvest Losses. Harvesting of date palm in Oman is carried out using the traditional methods of cutting fruit bunches and throwing them to the ground where other family members and/or workers collect the fruit. Besides the negative effects on physical appearance, harvested fruits come in contact with the soil that leads to more losses to pests and diseases during storage and transport. Appropriate harvesting and postharvest handling techniques need to be determined and effectively transferred to date growers to ensure good quality fruits for fresh consumption and for processed date products. 4. Research and Development. Research on date palm production and processing in Oman is conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) and the College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences (CAMS) at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU). Date palm facilities at MAF include a live gene bank that was opened in 1988 and is actively growing 166 female and 21 male date palm cultivars (Al-Zidjali, 1996). The MAF tissue culture laboratory in Oman was opened in 1992 to mass propagate selected high-quality date palm trees and then distribute them to growers. There are several MAF agricultural research stations that conduct applied research and provide extension services to date palm growers throughout the country. The Ministry has recently proposed a strategic plan for development of date palm in the country. The plan aims at increasing investments in the date sector. This increase will be achieved through production of high quality dates as well as expansion of the national and international markets for dates throughout the year. Moreover, the plan includes development, extension, and research programs covering all aspects of date field operations, post-harvest management, by-product utilization and marketing. At CAMS, research on date palm is primarily focused on basic research. Application of this research is achieved through collaboration with MAF. Extension activities and training of extension agents are also periodically conducted by CAMS through national and international conferences and periodic workshops such as farmerand field-days. CONCLUSION Omani date growers face numerous challenges in date production and marketing. Determining these problems and proposing feasible solutions will alleviate the extent of these problems and enhance date production in the country. Farmer participation can be effectively achieved through extension and training programs. The role of extension agents is important to increase the production of high quality dates. Monitoring pests and diseases, limiting the degradation of soil fertility and water quality should be given high priority in research and development. These research areas will ultimately provide new avenues for improving date palm cultivation and increasing production of export-quality dates in Oman.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The author is thankful to A.K. Al-Wohaibi and D.M. Amalin for reviewing the final draft of this manuscript. Literature Cited Al Barwani, A. and Aboul A’ata, T.H. 2006. Sea water intrusion beneath the Batinah Coast: A case study for the area between As Seeb and As Suwaiq (1984-2005). Proceedings of the International Conference on Economic Incentives and Water Demand Management. 18-22 March 2006. Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. Al Gheilani, H.M. and Al-Mulla, Y.A. 2006. The water wealth in the Sultanate of Oman: Reality and ambitions. Proceedings of the International Conference on Economic Incentives and Water Demand Management. 18-22 March 2006. Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. Al-Sulaiman, Z.K. and Al-Wohaibi, B.K. 2006. Water metering pilot project: Case study on water demand and management in the Sultanate of Oman. Proceedings of the International Conference on Economic Incentives and Water Demand Management. 18-22 March 2006. Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. Al-Zidjali, T.M. 1996. Oman: Country report to the FAO international technical conference on plant genetic resources. FAO International Technical Conference on Plant Genetic Resources, Leipzig, Germany, 17-23 June 1996. ElMardi, M.O., Esechie, H., AI-Kharousi, L.M. and Abdelbasit, K.M. 2002. Effect of pollination method on changes in physical and chemical characteristics of date fruit during development. SQU J. Agr. Sci. 7(1):21-27. FAO. 2006. Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nation. (http://www.faostat.fao.org). 15 Feb. 2006. Haffar, I., H. Al Juburi and M.H. Ahmed. 1997. Effect of Pollination Frequency and Pollen Concentration on Yield and Fruit Characteristics of Mechanically Pollinated Date Palm Trees (Phoenix dactylifera var. Khalas). J. agric. Engng Res. 68: 11 – 14. Luedeling, E., Nagieb, M., Wichern, F., Brandt, M., Deurerd, M. and Buerkert, A. 2005. Drainage, salt leaching and physico-chemical properties of irrigated man-made terrace soils in a mountain oasis of northern Oman. Geoderma 125: 273–285 MAF. 2005. Oman Date Production (2003-04), Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. MAF. 2006. Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. (http://www.agrcensus.gov.om). 25 April 2006. MNE. 2005. Thirty third Statistical Year Book. Ministry of National Economy, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. Murphy, S.T. and Briscoe, B.R. 1999. The red palm weevil as an alien invasive: biology and the prospects for biological control as a component of IPM. Biocontrol News Info. 20 (1): 35N – 46N. Myhara, R.M., Al-Alawi, A., Karkalas, J. and Taylor, M.S. 2000. Sensory and textural changes in maturing Omani dates. J. Sci. Food Agr. 80 (15): 2181-2185. Myhara, R.M., Karkalas, J. and Taylor, M.S. 1999. The composition of maturing Omani dates. J. Sci. Food Agr. 79 (11): 1345-1350. Rahman, M.S. and Al-Farsi, S.A. 2005. Instrumental texture profile analysis (TPA) of date flesh as a function of moisture content. J. Food Eng. 66:505-511.
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Tables Table 1. Regional date palm distribution in the Sultanate of Oman (MAF, 2005 and 2006). Region al Batinah
No. of Date Palm Trees 3,263,862
Percentage of total 41.87
Production (tonnes) 105,929.14
Percentage of total 45.85
al Sharqiah al Dhahira al Dakhlia Muscat Musandam Dhofar al Wusta Total
1,502,525 1,333,898 1,112,959 322,222 234,453 23,679 2,188 7,795,786
19.27 17.11 14.28 4.13 3.01 0.30 0.03 100
37,294.65 29,515.50 44,006.17 10,282.98 3874.09 132.38 231,034.91
16.14 12.78 19.05 4.45 1.68 0.06 100
Table 2. The ten most important varieties in the Sultanate of Oman in 2004 (MAF, 2005). Cultivar Um Sella Mabsli Khasab Naghal Fardh Shahl Khunaizi Khalas Madloki Barni
Percentage of date production 14.15 13.24 11.55 10.75 7.81 4.95 4.91 4.82 2.35 2.15
Table 3. The top 10 date exporting countries in 2004 (FAO, 2006). Country Iran Pakistan UAE Saudi Arabia Tunisia France Algeria Israel Oman USA
Dates exported (MT) 94,584 65,429 59,457 42,453 40,432 8,386 8,133 6,441 4,752 4,202
Percentage of total 26.9 18.6 16.9 12.1 11.5 2.4 2.3 1.8 1.4 1.2
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Table 4. Market uses of dates in the Sultanate of Oman in 2004 (MAF, 2005). Consumption Type Internal consumption: Human Animal Export (Incl. Processed) Surplus
Amount (MT)
Percentage of total
120,000 50,000 9,000 52,000
51 22 4 23
Figures
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30 25
150
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100
Rainfall (mm)
Temperature (C)
40
Temp (Max) Temp (Min) Rainfall
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5 0
20 04 20 02 20 00 19 98 19 96 19 94 19 92 19 90 19 88 19 86 19 84 19 82 19 80
0
Fig. 1. Average annual maximum and minimum temperatures and rainfall over 25 years from nine weather stations in the Sultanate of Oman (MNE, 2005).
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Area
Production
700 600 500 400 300 200 100
Production (1000 MT)
Area (1000 ha)
800
45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0
0 Vegetables
Fruits
Field Crops
Perennial Fodder Crops
Fig. 2. Area and production of agricultural crops in the Sultanate of Oman in 2004 (MNE, 2005)
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