Land Degradation in the Sultanate of Oman: Reasons and Intervention Measures - Combating Desertification in Asia, Africa and the Middle East - page 403

8.3 Long Term Strategy for Combating Desertification

in Oman up to Year 2020

The National goals during the last three decades have been reviewed through the
targets in the five-year development plans, have been formulated on the basis
of principles and philosophy from the long-term development strategy which
commissioned by the Ministry of National Economy (MNE), since the principal
directive in the United Nation Plan of Action, (recommendation 22), and UNCCD
convention Article (2) paragraph (2) which stipulates that “Achieving this objective
will involve long-term integrated strategies that focus simultaneously, in affected
areas on improved productivity of Land, and rehabilitation, conservation and
sustainable management of land and water resources, leading to improved living
conditions, in particular at the community level.” With the above quotation, the
Combating Desertification in the Sultanate, the following targets/objectives are set
for the year 2020:-

(a) Raising the percentage of self sufficiency in food production and improving the
status of food security.
(b) Combating Desertification Programs, and projects should be in conformity
with National goals, and contributing towards their success, improvement and
the quality of life of the inhabitants of lands affected by Desertification and
protection of the environment.
(c) Ensure, in accordance with the need and potential of country natural resources,
the sustainable development of the two critical factors - water and land; through
inter alia, sound integrated water resources management and land reclamation
projects.
(d) Ensure public participation in design and implementation of the national action
programs (NAPs) side by side with developing and improving public awareness
of the desertification problems.
(e) Achieve development of indigenous national, sub-regional and regional scien-
tific research and technology capabilities.
(f) Establishing National Institutional and Technical Facilities for Assessment and
Monitoring of Desertification.
(g) Contribute to strengthening of sub-regional and international programs and in-
ternational co-operation in the campaign, and awareness against Desertification.

8.4 Public Participation

Combating Desertification and reclamation of desertified lands cannot succeed
without direct involvement and support of the public, and local communities, thus
people in Oman, whether in the north eastern part of the country or the Dhofar
Mountains region have long experience and tradition with one form or another type
of agriculture for thousands of years. The falaj watering system in the North and