Tuesday 12 / May / 2026
Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, marked the International Day of Plant Health, observed annually on 12 May.
The celebration underscores the importance of raising awareness about plant health and its role in protecting agricultural wealth, achieving food security, and ensuring environmental sustainability.
The ceremony was held under the auspices of Dr. Ahmed Nasser Al Bakri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources for Agriculture.
The event aimed to highlight the significance of plant health in mitigating plant pests and diseases, enhancing the quality of agricultural production, and showcasing national efforts in plant protection and the support of sustainable agricultural development.
In his speech, Eng. Ali Rashid Al Ghafri, Director of the Plant Quarantine Department at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, emphasized that marking this occasion reaffirms the importance of protecting plant health and its pivotal role in sustaining life on Earth.
He further explained that the concept of plant biosecurity extends beyond mere pest control to include a comprehensive set of measures and policies aimed at preventing the entry and spread of organisms harmful to plants, whether they are pests or diseases.
He stated that this is an integral part of the national strategy to achieve food security, in line with the goals of Oman Vision 2040, which places sustainability and prosperity at the heart of its priorities. He stressed that the Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Ministry, recognises the magnitude of this responsibility and is working diligently to enhance the plant health, biosecurity, and food security systems.
Al Ghafri clarified that the most prominent of these programmes is the Integrated Management Program for palm pests, specifically the Dubas palm bug and the Red Palm Weevil, as well as the integrated management of fruit flies, the pomegranate butterfly, and other agricultural pests.
The Ministry relies on the latest global technologies and practices, including the meticulous monitoring of laboratory reports, pest risk analysis, and the training of national cadres to raise their efficiency in this vital field. He revealed that central laboratories conducted more than 24,000 analyses of imported agricultural products last year, including over 18,000 analyses for pesticide residues and 4,000 for plant health, which contributed to ensuring the safety and quality of agricultural imports.
Additionally, more than 34,000 imported agricultural shipments and over 3,000 exported shipments were inspected, with more than 3,500 permits and registrations issued for agricultural products, and 100 specialised personnel trained in this field.
For his part, Dr. Thaer Yaseen, Head of the FAO Mission in the Sultanate of Oman, stated that celebrating this occasion is a confirmation of the importance of investing in plant health systems as a primary pillar for protecting agricultural production and ensuring its sustainability.
He added that the theme reflects the importance of enhancing prevention and preparedness, and moving toward more proactive systems in facing the risks of plant pests and diseases through early detection, coordinated response, and evidence-based decision-making. He noted that the Sultanate of Oman is characterized by a strategic geographical location and unique environmental and agricultural diversity, forming a rich agricultural heritage that deserves protection and preservation for future generations. He pointed out that this heritage faces increasing challenges in plant health that require an integrated response and sustainable investment in prevention and preparedness systems.
The celebration included workshops that brought together a group of experts, researchers, specialists, and decision-makers to exchange expertise and knowledge. They discussed the latest challenges and solutions in plant biosecurity, reviewed best practices, and formulated practical recommendations to enhance national and regional capabilities in protecting plant health and ensuring the sustainability of food resources.
The workshops also explored ways to enhance cooperation between various government and private entities and research institutions in the field of plant health, identify priorities, and develop future action plans to strengthen plant biosecurity, while raising awareness of its importance as a key element of food security.
