Ministry launches project to diversify strains of mountain goats

Ministry launches project to diversify strains of mountain goats

Muscat – As part of its efforts to support the livestock sector in the sultanate, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MAFWR) has launched a new project to increase and diversify the strains of Omani goats.

An official at MAFWR said that the project funded by the Agricultural and Fisheries Development Fund “aims to establish small and medium enterprises for the breeding of mountain goats in North Sharqiyah and Dakhliyah governorates”.

“The ministry will provide 100 female mountain goats and five male goats of the same strain,” the official informed.

According him, the initiative targets the wilayats of Bidbid, Samail and Izki in Dakhiliyah, and Ibra, Mudhaibi, Dima Wa al Taien in North Sharqiyah.

The ministry has laid down a few conditions for those who wish to participate in the project. The participant should be an Omani, having an experience in raising goats, and should give full-time to the project.

He/she must provide agricultural land of not less than two acres and establish sheds on an area of not less than of 500sqm with a permanent source of water.

Livestock vaccination

MAFWR has started the first phase of livestock vaccination in Dhahirah governorate as part of its National Project for Livestock Immunisation, with over 29,000