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

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SUMMARY
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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.

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A MANGO BY ANY OTHER NAME...
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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.

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REVERSING DECLINING PRODUCTION
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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