The Sultanate of Oman has very limited water resources that mostly comprise of saline groundwater with seawater intrusions in some areas. The categorization of groundwater of Batinah (A major area of Oman agriculture) indicated that 53% water has EC of 2 dS/m or less while 47 % has higher than that. Hence, it is clear that about 47 % water is not usable safely for most of the crops and fruit trees without significant decrements in yields and a threat to soil health. However, unfortunately, even the limited water resources are not being utilized in an appropriate and efficient manner at present. Comparatively good quality waters (EC< 3 dS/m) are mainly (75 %) being used to grow salt tolerant fruit tree (Date palm) and fodders (Alfalfa & Rhodes Grass). These species consume a lot of water but give very less returns. Growing of these would have been more appropriate scientifically with water of EC 5-10 dS/m. Thus, the good quality water is being wasted. It could be saved for growing of seasonal vegetables that would give two crops a year with less total water consumption but will give 3-5 times more profit. Hence, through this strategy, not only the present wide gap between annual recharge and annual consumption of water can be narrowed but also net income of the farming community can be increased. To achieve this target, the development of hydro-economic localized farming is recommended. Growing of two crops in rotation from the group of onion, pepper, beans, carrot, radish, eggplant, cucumber and okra with water of EC less than 2 dS/m can give income of 4000-5000 OR (Omani Rial). Two crops/year of vegetables like potato, sweet potato, cabbage, spinach, turnip, sweet melon and watermelon can be grown with water of EC 2-3 dS/m and gross margins of 3000-4000 OR can be obtained. Similarly, tomato and squash can give 2000-3000 OR/ha even grown with water of EC 3-5 dS/m. The field crops like barley and wheat or fodders (Sorghum, pearl millet Rhodes grass, alfalfa) should only be restricted to water of EC 5-7 that will not affect the growth and yield of these crops and an income of 1000-2000 OR/ha can be obtained Future plantations of date palm should only be grown with water of EC 7-10 dS/m. In this way, the utilization of the precious water resource will become the most appropriate and economical.

The Sultanate of Oman has very limited water resources that mostly comprise of saline groundwater with seawater intrusions in some areas. The categorization of groundwater of Batinah (A major area of Oman agriculture) indicated that 53% water has EC of 2 dS/m or less while 47 % has higher than that....