Current Status of Animal Genetic Resources in Oman

I. Shaat and R. Al-Habsi

 

Review I Published October,2016

 

Journal of Agricultural Science and Food Technology  Vol. 2 (9), pp.139-146

 

 

ABSTRACT

 

Oman is endowed with a wealth of biodiversity. It has a wide diversity of animal genetic resources (AnGR), which are indigenous. After preparation of the first country report on the state of Oman's AnGR in 2002, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) started a breeding strategy for sustainable management, utilization and conservation of AnGR in line with the basic elements and the steps used and developed by FAO. AnGR in Oman consist of cows, sheep, goats, camels, horses and poultry that are located in varying numbers across the Sultanate. Most of the cows (58%) are located in the Southern part on Oman (Dhofar governorate) while, more than 70% of sheep and goats population concentrates in the North of Oman and the majority of camels (60%) are located in Dhofar governorate. Numbers of local poultry are low, raised at research stations and in some villages. There are modest numbers of horses in the Royal Cavalry and the rest are located at the Royal Court Affairs. MAF has carried out considerable work (in-situ and ex-situ) for conservation of farm animal genetic resources such as cattle, sheep, goats and poultry in collaboration with Sultan Qaboos University, Ministry of Environment and Climatic Affairs, and Diwan of the Royal Court. MAF has very good herds and flocks from different local species distributed in four-research stations. It also has a gene bank for cryopreservation for semen, embryos and ova.

Key Words: Conservation, Animal Genetic Resources and Oman.
 

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