The Shortage of Cattle Fodder 6. There is a severe shortage of grazing within the protected area. There is sufficient for the growing number of cattle in the Salalah area but not for outsiders, Mr. Jack in his report of May/June 1955 estimates the number of cattle on the jebel at 20,000 head. There is no reason to believe that the number has decreased substantially since then. It would be foolish to believe therefore that we can provide enough grazing for all the hill cattle on the plain (estimated culti vable area 25,000 acres including 2000 acres within the protected area). We should be able however to improve upon the present situa tion. The arrival in Salalah a short time ago of a herd of 115 head caused a major problem. In the end to avoid the owner having to sell off his herd at give-away prices the Army had to buy the beasts, which they did not really want, for slaughter. 7. The first agricultural problem therefore is how to increase the availability of cattle fodder on the plain. High grade fodder like lucerne is not what is required. The highland cattle are used to grazing off scrub and bushes; any richer food and they 'blow up'. Exports 8. The second agricultural problem is to find crops to grow for export and markets for the crops once they are grown. Because of transport difficulties it is unlikely that the Dhofar plain could ever compete with the Batina (the coastal plain between Jebel Al Akhdar and the sea running about 150 miles north from Muscat) in the production of fruit and vegetables for the Gulf market. To some extent there will always be a local demand for locally grown fruit and vegetables, and judging by the price now ruling in the market there is consider able scope for increasing local production to meet local demand. Years ago Dhofar not only produced enough foodstuffs to be self supporting but had a considerable export trade. If this old prosperity is to be regained and the plain seen to prosper (a further inducement to the hill folk to turn to more peaceful ways) then I think we must first take stock of what we know will grow here and secondly what we believe will do so. Existing Crops 9. The main crops here are coconuts - palms abound and if irrigated are said to take about 2 years to mature - lucerne, sweet potatoes, wheat, dhura in the Kharif, lighter grains like 'mesabili' and the - 3 -
