SALALAH, Oct 25 - Salalah and its adjoining areas have great potential for growing many varieties of exotic tropical and subtropical fruits due to unique climatic conditions. Many varieties of exotic tropical and subtropical fruits, which cannot be grown anywhere in the country or even in the Gulf region, can be grown here. This great advantage makes Salalah the exclusive potential land for tropical fruit basket of the whole region.
An eminent pomologist finds Dhofar one of the most important agricultural areas in Sultanate, occupying almost one third of the total area of the country.
Professor Gamaleldin Abdel Hay Hamid finds this area has a unique climate which is considered one of its kind in the whole Arabian Peninsula. It has the most diverse topography extending from Salalah plain in the coastal region up to the wooded hills (Dhofar Jabel) which reaches up to 1500-metre elevation followed by the desert or ‘Nejd’ area. This wide diversity in climate and topography makes the region suitable for growing a wide range of fruit crops.
“Salalah has gained popularity for coconuts, papaya and banana. Besides them fruits like lime, guava, pomegranate, fig and custard apple are also grown in limited areas of Salalah plain. Dhofar is one of the most important agricultural areas in Sultanate, occupying almost one third of the total area of the country. Fruit trees occupy about 58 per cent of the total planted agricultural area in Oman, a major population of them are located in Salalah,” said Prof Gamaleldin.
He cited one study which suggests that the land is equally good for grapes, avocado, sapota, bread fruit, egg fruit, jack fruit, passion fruit, star fruit, pitahaya, pineapple and star apple. During last two decades of trial it has been found that these fruits have adapted to the local conditions.
These fruits, according to Prof Gamaleldin, provide good opportunity for adopting them as commercial fruits. They can fetch good money because they cannot be grown elsewhere in whole of the Gulf region.
He strongly suggests massive agricultural extension work supported by some other technical and financial efforts to make this dream true.
Commenting on challenges in course of introducing new commercial crops in Salalah, Prof Gamaleldin said, “There is no effort without challenges. Anything which gives fruits needs to be treated well. Fruit trees, in general, are not difficult to grow but some basics should be followed to achieve success. Trees planted in the suitable soil type should be provided with right balance of water, nutrients, sunlight and ventilation.
“The prevailing high humidity conditions cause many fungal diseases. Much care is required during handling, planting of fruit tree seedlings. In addition to that avoiding excess watering and carefully applying some other important post harvest cultural practices and techniques are of vital importance in order to avoid pests and disease problems. Besides treatment of such problems needs immediately, water salinity problems need to be solved because this stands as one of the main limiting factor for extending fruit production in certain areas of Salalah plain,” he said.
Kaushalendra Singh
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