Ibri – The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources has signed 40 agreements worth RO621,363 to rehabilitate and maintain aflaj irrigation systems and drill auxiliary wells across  Dhahirah Governorate.

The agreements, signed on Thursday under the patronage of Tahir Al Junaibi, Governor of Dhahirah, are part of efforts to restore the efficiency of Oman’s traditional irrigation systems and support the water needs of agricultural lands.

Of the total, 35 agreements worth RO513,555 cover the maintenance and rehabilitation of damaged aflaj, while five agreements worth RO107,808 involve drilling auxiliary wells and related works for a number of affected aflaj.

The projects aim to improve water flows and ensure a sustainable supply to agricultural lands in the governorate.

The agreements were signed on behalf of the ministry by Eng Amer bin Saif Al Barhi, Director General of Agricultural Wealth and Water Resources in  Dhahirah, with representatives of the companies and institutions implementing the projects.

The projects will address damage caused by the Al Musarrat depression that affected Oman in March, damaging channels and waterways of several aflaj, as well as their water sources and auxiliary wells across various wilayats of the governorate.

Eng Al Barhi said the ministry attaches great importance to the aflaj system as part of Oman’s cultural heritage and as a key pillar of food and economic security.

He said the maintenance work includes rehabilitating water channels and conduits, removing silt and debris, and drilling auxiliary wells to provide an important supplementary water source, sustain flows and meet farmers’ needs.