Heavy rains may reduce dates output

Muscat: Heavy rains have cast doubts on the volume of date output in Oman.

Dates are one of the most important agricultural products in Oman, contributing significantly to the national economy. Oman produces approximately 350,000 tonnes of dates annually, some of which are exported to Arab and other countries, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources.

In an interview with Mohammed Al Yaarubi, a dates producer, said that the period from May to September is the time for the growth, development, and ripening of dates in Oman. August is the start of the dates harvest season when the temperature rises and air humidity usually decreases.

However, this year is seeing an unusually high amount of summer rainfall, accompanied by increased air humidity and lower sunshine. This unusual weather may reduce yield and reduces quality of the fruit.

Impact of rain on date palm growth stages

Al Yaarubi said that during the pollination stage, rains are necessary for fruit growth, but very heavy rains can hinder pollination and lead to lower production. Dates also need small amounts of water during the second stage, which is the growth stage, as heavy rains can cause the fruits to crack and spoil. However, dry conditions are ideal during the ripening stage, as high humidity can lead to the growth of fungi and bacteria on the fruits, in addition to exposure to other secondary damage such as mold, fermentation, and acidification, which results in crop damage or reduced market value.

Regarding the methods that farmers should follow to mitigate the damage caused by rain, Al Yaarubi said pruning, where farmers prune some of the clusters from the date palm trees to reduce the amount of fruit on the tree to ensure ventilation between the fruits, which helps to reduce the impact of rain. And covering some of the date palm clusters with nets or plastic bags also protect them from rain. They should also improve drainage systems in date palm farms to prevent water from accumulating around the trees.

Al Yaarubi added that the impact of climate change is leaving its mark on many aspects of our lives, and one of the most prominent aspects of this is on crops. The success of farmers and the quality of crops depend largely on weather conditions, especially in the summer. If heavy rains fall, the fruits may be quickly damaged due to exposure to water, which threatens to spoil the crop.

Therefore, scientific bodies, universities, and research centers must pay attention to studying this phenomenon and work to develop effective solutions for drying fruits using modern methods, in order to prevent spoilage caused by heavy rains and to improve crop quality. This will contribute to improving the performance of the agricultural sector and ensuring its sustainability in the face of increasing climate challenges.