Al-Ahsa, November 14, 2024 – A delegation from the General Directorate of Water Resources Management at the Omani Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries Wealth, and Water Resources concluded a comprehensive three-day visit to the Saudi Irrigation Organization (SIO) in Al-Ahsa on Tuesday. The visit formed part of a strategic initiative aimed at transitioning from traditional flood irrigation to advanced modern irrigation systems, underscoring a shared commitment between Oman and Saudi Arabia to enhance water sustainability and management practices.
Throughout the visit, the delegation engaged with SIO's water management strategies, gaining valuable insights into the organization’s efforts to improve water use efficiency through cutting-edge technical and technological approaches. Key presentations and discussions focused on SIO’s integration of modern irrigation techniques, digital transformation initiatives, and innovative methods that contribute to the sustainability of water resources in agriculture. These insights are anticipated to play a pivotal role in informing Oman’s own water resource management and agricultural strategies.
Field tours allowed the Omani delegation to observe SIO's advanced water testing technologies and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, which are critical in monitoring and managing water distribution and quality across the region. The SCADA system, in particular, has enabled SIO to optimize water usage, increase efficiency, and reduce waste, providing a model of best practices for other nations grappling with similar water resource challenges.
The visit included a tour of "Lemon City 1," a flagship agricultural project in Al-Ahsa dedicated to innovative lemon cultivation practices. Here, the delegation observed the latest technologies and methodologies employed in lemon agriculture and participated in activities celebrating the 2024 National Greening Season. This initiative, which focuses on increasing green spaces and promoting environmental sustainability, highlights Saudi Arabia’s broader environmental goals, aligning with Vision 2030’s objectives for sustainable resource management.
Through this exchange, both Saudi Arabia and Oman demonstrated a mutual commitment to bolstering environmental sustainability and ensuring the responsible management of precious water resources. By sharing experiences and knowledge, the two nations aim to foster a cooperative approach to sustainable agriculture and water management that can have lasting impacts on the region’s agricultural practices and environmental resilience.
