The implications of smallholdings of water and land for the sustainability of a community based water management system in Oman

Oman's traditional aflaj irrigation systems, which have sustained agriculture and livelihoods for centuries, face sustainability threats due to the economic implications of small water and land holdings. A study on one falaj system revealed that these smallholdings prevent farmers from achieving economies of scale, leading to high average costs and low farm profits. As aflaj are community-managed, the low economic value may result in insufficient funds for maintenance, potentially undermining their sustainability. The research highlights a critical challenge for community-based water management systems in arid regions.

Dennis, P., & Abdullah, A. G. (2018). The implications of smallholdings of water and land for the sustainability of a community based water management system in Oman. Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, 10(4), 61–74. https://doi.org/10.5897/jaerd2017.0933