Muscat – Observed annually on March 22, the day serves as a reminder of the vital role water plays in all aspects of life, urging collective efforts to preserve and sustain this precious resource.

Oman, categorized among nations with limited water resources, faces challenges typical of arid and semi-arid regions, with rain serving as the primary water source, averaging at 100 mm annually. Despite this, the Sultanate is dedicated to bolstering water reserves and mitigating flood risks through various initiatives, including dam construction, aflaj maintenance, and rain seeding stations.

Under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources, Oman boasts 186 dams with a combined storage capacity of 346 million cubic meters and 13 rain seeding stations. Additionally, 92 desalination plants contribute 1.65 million cubic meters of water daily, alongside 67 sewage stations producing 309,000 cubic meters per day.

Water resources in Oman cater to municipal, industrial, and agricultural sectors, with agriculture being the largest consumer at 80 percent. The Sultanate boasts 4,173 falaj across all governorates, while modern irrigation systems cover 48 percent of cultivated areas.

In light of evolving population dynamics and their impact on energy, water, and food supplies, the Ministry is committed to updating water management systems and legislation to ensure food and water security.

Globally, over 3 billion people rely on transboundary water sources; however, only 24 countries have cooperation agreements on all their shared waters, underscoring the need for collaborative efforts amidst challenges posed by climate change and population growth.