Agreement to protect herdsmen, endangered livestock in Sharqiyah
Posted by Zawya
Oman Daily Observer
22 June 2010


MUSCAT -- Herdsmen who rear the uncommon Gebeli specie of goats found primarily in the mountainous region of the Hail al Harem in Al Sharqiyah Region will receive succour through a partnership between Oman LNGOman LNGLoading... and the Ministry of Agriculture.

For many of the herders, the income from raising this rare breed of goats is a primary source of income and much valued means of livelihood for them and their families.

The partnership which has led to the provision of 10 stockyards and related accessories will also serve to
protect a distinct type of livestock not commonly found in other places.

Prior to the effort, these Gebeli goats often wandered off while in search of grazing area and water, with some of them sustaining injuries due to the rocky terrain in which they moved or even getting lost because of the harsh weather condition especially in winter where the temperature can at times go below zero, with consequent loss of income for the farmers and their families as well as increasing the threat of extinction to the animals.

For the building of the stockyards, which are spread across three locations in the region, specifically in the formidable terrain of Wilayat of Wadi Dima W'attayeen, Oman LNGOman LNGLoading... provided a sum of RO 40,700.
The construction work was executed under the supervision of the office of the director-general of Agriculture and Animal in the Ministry of Agriculture.

Ali al Hashar, Corporate Affairs Manager at Oman LNGOman LNGLoading..., commenting on the stockyards, said: "We were concerned that the source of income and livelihood for the goat herders and their families could be lost if nothing was done to arrest the poor conditions in which the goats were being reared.

We also know that we are preserving a rare breed of goats which is not easily found elsewhere.

By funding the building of these stockyards, we expect that the herders will be assisted in eliminating the risks to losing their stock and continue to raise livestock for a better income in the future. We would like to thank the Ministry of Agriculture for their supervision of the project and their contribution to its success."

Oman LNGOman LNGLoading... is a major contributor to the development of Oman and its people through its Social Investment Programme (SIP) through which it dedicates on a yearly basis, a portion of revenue accruing from its business of exporting liquefied natural gas to countries in Asia and the Pacific Rim.

By Staff Reporter

© Oman Daily Observer 2010

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