1. NARS-ICT Status Report Sultanate of Oman
May, 2009

2. His Majesty’s speech – ICT Highlight 11 Nov 2008
Information technology and communications have now become the main elements that move forward the development process in this third millennium; therefore, we have accorded our attention to finding a national citizens in this domain with the aim of further developing e-government services.
We are closely following the important steps that we have made in this regard. We call upon all government institutions to speedily enhance their performance, and to facilitate their services, by applying digital technology in order to usher the Sultanate into the constantly evolving spheres for applying knowledge.

3. Information Technology (IT) - Oman
Information Technology Authority (ITA):
National IT Training & Awareness
- Government IT Training & Certification in IT (Digital Literacy) aims to provide internationally recognized digital literacy certification to all civil service employees in a phased manner during the period Targeting around employees.
- The Community IT Training Project 
use of 25 Community Knowledge Centers that will be established in all the governorates and various regions of the Sultanate.
- eOman Awareness
organizing seminars, conferences and road shows throughout the country

4. Oman Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA): www.tra.gov.om
TRA- Oman
Oman Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA):
Telecom Service Providers in Oman
Omantel Oman Mobile
Nawras

6. Agriculture Information System
Agricultural Information System in
National Agriculture Research Station(NARS), represented by the Directorate General of Agricultural and Livestock Research
Ministry of Agriculture (MOA)
Sultan Qaboos University (SQU)

7. Agriculture in Oman

8. Cultivated Area & Production
Crop
2006
2007
2008
Production (1000 ton.)
Area (1000 Fadden)
Area
(1000 Fadden)
Veg. crops
108.05
11.19
130.36
12.26
141.07
14.16
Fruit crops
313
87.88
311.77
88.26
319.71
93.25
Field crops
25.2
18.19
25.18
16.95
24.57
16.28
Fodder crops
564.3
34.21
608.74
36.51
662.50
40.22
Total
151.47
153.98
163.91

9. (NARS)

10. Agriculture & livestock Research

11. Research Capacity in NARS

12. Information System in NARS (Computer LAB.)
(5) server : wireless internet connection 1 mps, (140) computers and (10) laptops.
Four different operating systems (Windows XP, 2000, ME and 98).
30 printers

13. Agricultural Research Library and Documentation Center
Library contents ARC
Books
Series and periodicals 15
Floppy disks 80
CDs 130
PCs 3
Microfiche reader 1
Special groups
Oman issues
FAO issues
AOAD
Library services
References services
Borrowing to ministry stuff & Students
Borrowing between national libraries
Current awareness

14. Internal Server

15. Moderate ICT strategies and policies
Limitations
Moderate ICT strategies and policies
Inconsistency in collected data and information analysis mechanisms
Moderate ICT managerial and technical skills

16. Ministry of Agriculture
Access & Programmers :
Site :
Census site :
2 ADSL lines ( each 2 MB),
leased line (128 kbps ) connected to different Agricultural Directorates in the regions .
AIS database:
-Research -Extension -livestock
-Static -Agr. services
Automated Library
-Classified library
- Electronic books &studies (+7000 input)
Automated finance/ administration services.

18. Agricultural information centre of Oman
Institutional foundation for an agricultural information centre which will function as the coordinating unit of a national agricultural knowledge exchange management system, drawing on inputs from existing department within MOA
A pilot national agricultural knowledge exchange management system including modules on documents, institutions, experts and projects; facilitating access to other agricultural information services and databases relevant to the Omani agricultural sector; and enabling the exchange of information among stakeholder group

19. Sultan Qaboos University
The Centre for Information Systems
The Main Library has recently moved to the new centre, where there is seating for 2000 and space for over 600,000 books and periodicals.
Access :

20. Electronic Resources Rises in SQU Library
2003
2008
Databases 21 27
Electronic full text journal 1 14
Titles
250
13,000
Book holdings
173,009
300,000
Audio-visual items
12,605
14,500

21. Conclusion: Requirements and Suggested improvements
Effective Implementation of policies and regulations that remove barriers affecting ICT development and adoption
Strengthening of Institutional and human capacity
Development of linkage mechanisms between researchers and extensions through the use of efficient information and communication technologies
Development of sustainable links with regional and international agencies related to ICT support and development
Exchange of ICT successful stories between member countries

22. The End
Thank You