Protection walls to safeguard farmland from flood risks

MUSCAT, APRIL 1
New flood protection walls for agricultural lands in the Wilayat of Yanqul, Al Dhahirah Governorate, are part of projects aimed at enhancing agricultural stability in areas near wadi beds, reducing financial losses and supporting farmers to continue cultivating their land, thus contributing to food security in the Sultanate of Oman.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources has completed the construction of the protection wall project in the Al Buwayridah area of Yanqul. Also, work continues on the protection wall project in the Al Bilad-Al Madam area, with a completion rate of 30%. These projects are part of efforts to mitigate flood risks and protect agricultural lands.
Eng Salim bin Suhail al Alawi, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources in Yanqul, explained that these projects reflect the level of cooperation between the Ministry and the local community in preserving agricultural resources. He emphasised that the concrete walls contribute to reducing the impact of wadi water, especially in light of climate change. He added that the department provides technical and engineering supervision of the implementation phases to ensure adherence to approved specifications and the achievement of the highest quality standards, thereby enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of the protection.
The two projects were implemented through a community partnership, with residents contributing 80% of the total cost and the Ministry covering the remaining 20%. The aim is to protect agricultural holdings from soil erosion and the effects of flash floods.
Regarding the technical specifications, the protective wall in the Al Buwayridah area is 150 metres long and three metres high and its construction has been completed according to approved engineering standards. Meanwhile, the protective wall in the Al Bilad-Al Madam area is approximately 1,700 metres long and three metres high and work is underway to complete it according to the established timeline.