MANGO DECLINE SPARKS GLOBAL PROJECT

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000290 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARPI AND EB/TPP/ATT DUBAI FOR ATO/MHENNEY AMMAN FOR EST HUB (JWHITTLESEY) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR PREL SENV MU SUBJECT: MANGO DECLINE SPARKS GLOBAL PROJECT -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. The government of Oman will sponsor a five-year global mango classification project, which will enable the government to better identify which varieties of mango would be suitable for cultivation in Oman. Current production is down 60% since 1999, a result of fungal infestation and ground water salinity. End summary. -------------- A MANGO BY ANY OTHER NAME... -------------- ¶2. Dr. Abdulwahid al-Saadi, project director for the Royal Court Affairs' Royal Gardens and Farms, briefed Econoff on plans to create an international mango encyclopedia. The encyclopedia would catalog the 1500 varieties of mango and also assist countries in understanding the diseases and distribution of the third largest tropical fruit crop, which supplies more than 25 million annual tons for consumption. Al-Saadi further noted that the project would generate a mango genetic database and document its cultural/historical significance. ¶3. Al-Saadi estimated that the government-funded project would take five years to complete. In carrying out field work, the government plans to establish collaborative research centers in India, Thailand, South Africa, Ghana, Costa Rica, and Brazil. The government has also requested that the USG respond to a mango data questionnaire, which Embassy will forward to ATO Dubai for USDA consideration. -------------- REVERSING DECLINING PRODUCTION -------------- ¶4. Al-Saadi envisions the project enabling Oman both to better understand the causes of its declining mango production and identify other varieties that would be suitable for Oman's climate and soil. Since 1999, mango production in Oman's Batinah region has declined 60% since 1999, the result of fungal infestation, pests, and groundwater salinity. Al-Saadi commented that the witches' broom disease, which has decimated the Sultanate's citrus crop, has not affected mango production. BALTIMORE