Oman Agriculture and Fishing
Falaj Alin at Al Jabal al Akhdar; the falaj is an ancient
irrigation system used for Omani agriculture.
Courtesy Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman, Washington
Al Jabal al Akhdar, showing terraced farming in one of
Oman's main agricultural areas
Courtesy Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman, Washington
The government's economic development policy emphasizes
the
expansion of such non-oil sectors as agriculture, fishing,
industry, and mining in its bid to diversify the economy
and
diminish its dependence on oil exports. The goal is to
establish
a sustainable economic base in preparation for the time
when
hydrocarbon reserves are depleted. The government launched
several economic campaigns, naming 1988 and 1989 as Years
of
Agriculture and 1991 and 1992 as Years of Industry.
Through these
campaigns, the government has encouraged private-sector
investment by allocating generous amounts of cash support
for
private industry to be disbursed mainly through official
development banks. For example, the Oman Bank for
Agriculture and
Fisheries, created in 1981, extends loans at concessionary
rates
to individuals for whom farming or fishing is the
principal
activity. The bank acts as a distributive institution,
receiving
an interest subsidy from the government. In 1990 there
were 1,308
loans, totaling RO4.7 million. Development programs also
incorporate the government's policy of indigenization,
with a
large component of funds allocated for domestic technical
training and academic training, often in the United States
or
indeveloping countries.
Data as of January 1993
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