MUSCAT: A meeting was held at the Environment Authority in Muscat on Sunday to review the final draft of 'Dhofar Pasture Resting Initiative', aimed to offer innovative and smart solutions to meet the objective of raising the added value of the livestock sector in Dhofar Governorate.
The meeting looked into amendments proposed by various parties in the public and private sectors, society institutions and the business sector. The amendments dealt with means of meeting the objectives of protecting ecosystems, combating desertification and enhancing the productivity of natural pastures in the Sultanate of Oman.
The Initiative focuses on transforming the livestock sector from a consumer of environmental resources to a productive and sustainable sector, in line with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, Oman's Environmental Strategy and the country’s commitment to achieve net-zero carbon neutrality by 2050.
Dhofar Pasture Resting Initiative also serves as an economic solution aimed to enhance the income of livestock owners through environmentally sustainable solutions that improve the economic performance of pastoral communities.
The first phase of the Initiative will be implemented from 2026 to 2030 in the wilayats of Dhalkout and Rakhyout in Dhofar Governorate. It will encourage foreign investment in industries related to livestock products and rain-fed farming of crops with high economic returns, making use of Dhofar Governorate's abundant seasonal climate that lasts three months a year.
The initiative was first launched on the sidelines of the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in December 2024.
Besides the Environment Authority, the project sees the participation of Global Green Growth Institute; the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources; the Office of the Governor of Dhofar; Oman Investment Authority (OIA); Dhofar University; and the Secretariat-General of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). — ONA
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