25 July 2010
MUSCAT-- The Ministry of Agriculture has signed an agreement with the Arab Organisation for Agricultural Development (AOAD) to execute a sustainable development strategy of animal wealth.
In comments to the Observer, Shaikh Salim bin Hilal al Khalili, Minister of Agriculture, said the ministry in co-ordination with the Arab Organisation for Agricultural Development will implement the strategy in 16 months starting from March 7 this year.
Following Royal directives by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, a landmark symposium on 'Sustainable Development of Agricultural Sector' and regulation of its market was also held last year at the Royal Camp in Saih Al Massarat in Ibri to discuss agricultural issues.
One of the most important recommendations of this symposium, the minister said, is to prepare a sustainable development strategy of animal wealth just like the national strategy of developing natural pastures and animal wealth in Dhofar that the ministry has adopted in recent years.
To implement the recommendation, an agreement has been signed with the Arab Organisation for Agricultural Development in December 2009 to execute the strategy.
Realising the vital role of agriculture within the region's economy, the Arab countries recognised the need for co-ordination between their different agricultural policies in order to achieve the ultimate goal of fully integrated Arab economies.
At the regional level, AOAD facilitates co-ordination among member states in the agricultural sector, with the aim of achieving a fully integrated Arab economy union, and food self-sufficiency.
The Arab Organisation for Agricultural Development, established in 1970 upon the desire of the Arab countries, has been operating since 1972 with its headquarters in Khartoum, Sudan.
The AOAD is one of the specialised Arab organisations, functioning under the umbrella of the League of Arab States.
As such, its members are all the member states of the Arab League. The organisation's goals are defined on two dimensions: nationally as well as regionally.
At the national level, it assists member countries in developing and enhancing their respective agricultural sectors. At the regional level, AOAD facilitates co-ordination among member states in the agricultural sector, with the aim of achieving a fully integrated Arab economy union, and food self-sufficiency.
Over a period of three decades (the 1970s, the 80s, the 90s) and at the beginning of the new millennium, AOAD has left footprints and has had a positive impact on the development of agriculture in the Arab region, and within each member state. This was primarily achieved through ambitious, well-structured and well-developed agricultural plans.
At the start of the third millennium, the AOAD member states confirmed, during the 26th General Assembly meeting, the need to further develop AOAD's programmes, activities and methodologies in order to better meet the challenges of the new century.
They emphasised particularly the need to assist member countries in their national development plans based on their specific needs and priorities.
Experts say the idea behind the establishment of the AOAD in 1970 was based on the desire of Arab countries to establish their agricultural sectors on solid foundations, based on technical know-how and benefiting from the experience of others.
It was also based on the realisation that Arab agricultural resources have not been exploited to their fullest norm in the most efficient and effective manner. The Arab leaders also felt that an integrated Arab agricultural policy could only be attained through better co-ordination between Arab countries.
The overall objective of the organisation is to identify and develop linkages between Arab countries, and co-ordinate all agricultural and agriculture-related activities amongst them.
In more specific terms, this entails developing the natural and human resources available in the agricultural sector, and enhancing their output based on technical know-how, aimed at increasing agricultural production in order to attain food self-sufficiency.
MUSCAT-- The Ministry of Agriculture has signed an agreement with the Arab Organisation for Agricultural Development (AOAD) to execute a sustainable development strategy of animal wealth.
In comments to the Observer, Shaikh Salim bin Hilal al Khalili, Minister of Agriculture, said the ministry in co-ordination with the Arab Organisation for Agricultural Development will implement the strategy in 16 months starting from March 7 this year.
Following Royal directives by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, a landmark symposium on 'Sustainable Development of Agricultural Sector' and regulation of its market was also held last year at the Royal Camp in Saih Al Massarat in Ibri to discuss agricultural issues.
One of the most important recommendations of this symposium, the minister said, is to prepare a sustainable development strategy of animal wealth just like the national strategy of developing natural pastures and animal wealth in Dhofar that the ministry has adopted in recent years.
To implement the recommendation, an agreement has been signed with the Arab Organisation for Agricultural Development in December 2009 to execute the strategy.
Realising the vital role of agriculture within the region's economy, the Arab countries recognised the need for co-ordination between their different agricultural policies in order to achieve the ultimate goal of fully integrated Arab economies.
At the regional level, AOAD facilitates co-ordination among member states in the agricultural sector, with the aim of achieving a fully integrated Arab economy union, and food self-sufficiency.
The Arab Organisation for Agricultural Development, established in 1970 upon the desire of the Arab countries, has been operating since 1972 with its headquarters in Khartoum, Sudan.
The AOAD is one of the specialised Arab organisations, functioning under the umbrella of the League of Arab States.
As such, its members are all the member states of the Arab League. The organisation's goals are defined on two dimensions: nationally as well as regionally.
At the national level, it assists member countries in developing and enhancing their respective agricultural sectors. At the regional level, AOAD facilitates co-ordination among member states in the agricultural sector, with the aim of achieving a fully integrated Arab economy union, and food self-sufficiency.
Over a period of three decades (the 1970s, the 80s, the 90s) and at the beginning of the new millennium, AOAD has left footprints and has had a positive impact on the development of agriculture in the Arab region, and within each member state. This was primarily achieved through ambitious, well-structured and well-developed agricultural plans.
At the start of the third millennium, the AOAD member states confirmed, during the 26th General Assembly meeting, the need to further develop AOAD's programmes, activities and methodologies in order to better meet the challenges of the new century.
They emphasised particularly the need to assist member countries in their national development plans based on their specific needs and priorities.
Experts say the idea behind the establishment of the AOAD in 1970 was based on the desire of Arab countries to establish their agricultural sectors on solid foundations, based on technical know-how and benefiting from the experience of others.
It was also based on the realisation that Arab agricultural resources have not been exploited to their fullest norm in the most efficient and effective manner. The Arab leaders also felt that an integrated Arab agricultural policy could only be attained through better co-ordination between Arab countries.
The overall objective of the organisation is to identify and develop linkages between Arab countries, and co-ordinate all agricultural and agriculture-related activities amongst them.
In more specific terms, this entails developing the natural and human resources available in the agricultural sector, and enhancing their output based on technical know-how, aimed at increasing agricultural production in order to attain food self-sufficiency.
By Hasan Kamoonpuri
© Oman Daily Observer 2010
