Friday 20 / September / 2024
Muscat: A 100 per cent increase in the number of camels has been reported in Oman between 2009 and 2013, according to research conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF).
The total number of camels in the Sultanate has increased from 124,000 in 2009 to 242,833 in 2013.
According to data collected in 28 villages in the Wilayat of Qabil targeting 3,875 camels, a majority of these animals (1,209) are used for racing, while only a few are being used for production of meat and milk (187).
According to Ihab Shaat, an expert in animal conservation at the Oman Animal and Plant Genetic Resources Centre (OAPGRC), 60 per cent of camels in Oman are found in the Dhofar governorate.
Ihab Shaat was one of the 108 participants at the Regional Conference for Animal Genetic Resources Conservation 2016, where participants came from 19 countries, and presented 42 oral and poster presentations through two days.
A first-of-its-kind, the conference commenced on Tuesday at the Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) under the auspices of Dr Ali bin Saud Al Bimani, vice chancellor of SQU in the presence of Dr. Hilal bin Ali Al Hinai, secretary general of The Research Council (TRC).
Four internationally-renowned keynote speakers from Portugal, Sweden, France and a representative from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (UNFAO) were also among the participants.
Organisers said the conference was mainly concerned with the conservation of genetic resources of domestic animals for food and agriculture.
It hosted renowned scientists from various parts of the world and the region as well as local concerned bodies and policy makers.
According to Osman Mahgoub Gaafar, a professor at SQU’s College of Agriculture and Marine Sciences, the major objective of the conference was to discuss issues pertinent to animal genetic resources conservation and their relevance in the world, the region and in Oman.
Serious challenges
“The importance of this conference is that it comes at a stage during which the world is going through a critical time and facing serious challenges. These challenges range from dramatic climatic changes to strenuous economic conditions, as well as diminishing natural resources,” he said.
Gaafar added that the issue of genetic resources and their conservation is of great importance today as these are fundamental for achieving food security and sustainability of resources.
“Maintenance of genetic biodiversity is essential for conserving and improving the native animal populations,” he stressed.
Oman has been at the forefront of the efforts to protect local genetic resources. On the national level, this is reflected in the solid work done by some ministries (such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and Environment and Climatic Affairs), as well as the Diwan Royal Court.
Landmark
A landmark in this regard was the establishment of the Oman Animal and Plant Genetic Resources Centre at the Research Council on a Royal Order.
SQU has also been carrying out high quality research in the area of genetic resources conservation in several colleges and departments. This conference will ascertain the strong ties of collaboration between the TRC and SQU for advancement of research in the country.
Dr. Nadya Al Saadi, executive director of the OAPGRC, said the UNFAO estimates that approximately 805 million of the world’s 7.3 billion population, or 1 in 9 persons, suffered from chronic undernourishment between 2012 and 2014.
“And almost all these hungry people live in developing countries,” she added.
“At the current rate of population growth, the consumption of food and agriculture products during the second decade of the 21st century will be equivalent to that of the last 10,000 years,” she added.
“Animal genetic resources have been contributing to food and agriculture for more than 12,000 years, providing meat, milk products, eggs, fibre, fertilizer for crops, manure for fuel and draught power. They are a part of our common heritage and culture and far too valuable to neglect,” Al Saadi said.
She further said that while the world’s population is soaring, the amount of arable land is much the same as it was when agriculture was first practised with approximately one human being for every 25 hectares of land.
Food shortages
“Today, human density averages 25 people per hectare and may even exceed 1,200 people per hectare in urban centres. It is this rapid growth in population that is exposing many developing countries to chronic or frequent food shortages,” she explained.
In response to these challenges, at September’s the UN Sustainable Development Summit, world leaders adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals to end poverty, fight inequality and injustice and tackle climate change by 2030.
