Traditional irrigated agriculture in Oman -: Operation and management of the Aflaj system

Traditional methods were developed to allow farmers to live in harmony with a harsh environment. The farming techniques employed required only limited inputs of capital and caused minimal disturbance to the environment. The patterns of production were truly sustainable and skills were passed from generation to generation. Traditional surface irrigation systems of aflaj provide more than 60 percent of the freshwater supply in the Sultanate of Oman and irrigate around 55 percent of the cropped area. Over the years, these systems have set traditions for inter-temporal water resources allocation and a process of user's rights established on ownership and/or rent basis. A management system has been generated to organize, maintain, and distribute aflaj water resources. This paper examined the sight of aflaj system in terms of physical structure, administration, and ownership. Specific actions are recommended to improve the use and distribution of aflaj water resources. These include restructuring the aflaj management, improving the operation of water trade system, improving the sustainable use of aflaj water, and specific actions to promote aflaj water sustainability.