TY - JOUR
T1 - Perceptions and attitudes of farmers and landowners on soil salinity management and use of elemental sulphur in Oman
AU - Al-Mayahi, Ahmed
AU - Al-Shibli, Noah
AU - Gibreel, Tarig
AU - Blackburn, Daniel
AU - Al-Ismaily, Said
AU - McHugh, Caila
N1 - Funding Information:
This study was funded by the projects ‘Integrating modern soil and water smart technologies for salinity management in the Sultanate of Oman’ His Majesty Fund, Sultan Qaboos University (SR/AGR/SWAE /21/01) and ‘Elemental Sulfur field application for reclamation of saline‐sodic soils of Al‐Batinah‐Oman (CR/AGR/SWAE/20/01)’ with the support of Shell Development Oman. The additional in‐kind support of Sultan Qaboos University is appreciated. Helpful comments and critiques by Dr. Deyi Hou, and anonymous Referees are appreciated.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 British Society of Soil Science.
PY - 2023/8/23
Y1 - 2023/8/23
N2 - Soil salinity threatens agricultural sustainability globally and is a significant challenge in Oman. Previous studies in Oman focused on examining the causality and spatiotemporal variation of groundwater and soil salinity, neglecting farmers' perceptions and attitudes towards salinity management. Therefore, this study evaluates (i) perceptions and attitudes of landowners and farmers towards soil salinity and its management, and (ii) determinants of willingness to use elemental sulphur to alleviate soil salinity in Oman. A questionnaire survey (122 responses) assessed perceptions, attitudes and knowledge using Likert scales and qualitative questions. Binary Logistic Regression analysed determinants of willingness to use elemental sulphur. Results reveal variations in perceptions, attitudes, knowledge and management practices. Most of the respondents were aware of adequate nutrient and water requirements for crops (p <.05). Respondents rely on social media (38.5%), fellow farmers (32.1%) and personal experiences (11.5%) for knowledge acquisition about soil salinity management. Half of the respondents did not monitor soil salinity, while the other half relied primarily on visual observation. A substantial number (62.6%) of the respondents did not implement any techniques to alleviate soil salinity, while among those who acted, a majority preferred cultivating date palms (55%) or fodders (29.4%). Awareness of the national salinity management strategy and commercial products is lacking. However, when introduced to elemental sulphur as a soil amendment for salinity, 74.8% of the respondents demonstrated a willingness to utilize it. Most (82.4%) preferred elemental sulphur products within the lowest price range. Being a full-time farmer, owning a farm, awareness of the national strategy and low-price preferences were positive determinants, while <1 year of farming experience was a negative determinant of willingness to use elemental sulphur. These findings inform future research on socio-economic perceptions of salinity in Oman, the Gulf region and similar arid areas facing food production limitations.
AB - Soil salinity threatens agricultural sustainability globally and is a significant challenge in Oman. Previous studies in Oman focused on examining the causality and spatiotemporal variation of groundwater and soil salinity, neglecting farmers' perceptions and attitudes towards salinity management. Therefore, this study evaluates (i) perceptions and attitudes of landowners and farmers towards soil salinity and its management, and (ii) determinants of willingness to use elemental sulphur to alleviate soil salinity in Oman. A questionnaire survey (122 responses) assessed perceptions, attitudes and knowledge using Likert scales and qualitative questions. Binary Logistic Regression analysed determinants of willingness to use elemental sulphur. Results reveal variations in perceptions, attitudes, knowledge and management practices. Most of the respondents were aware of adequate nutrient and water requirements for crops (p <.05). Respondents rely on social media (38.5%), fellow farmers (32.1%) and personal experiences (11.5%) for knowledge acquisition about soil salinity management. Half of the respondents did not monitor soil salinity, while the other half relied primarily on visual observation. A substantial number (62.6%) of the respondents did not implement any techniques to alleviate soil salinity, while among those who acted, a majority preferred cultivating date palms (55%) or fodders (29.4%). Awareness of the national salinity management strategy and commercial products is lacking. However, when introduced to elemental sulphur as a soil amendment for salinity, 74.8% of the respondents demonstrated a willingness to utilize it. Most (82.4%) preferred elemental sulphur products within the lowest price range. Being a full-time farmer, owning a farm, awareness of the national strategy and low-price preferences were positive determinants, while <1 year of farming experience was a negative determinant of willingness to use elemental sulphur. These findings inform future research on socio-economic perceptions of salinity in Oman, the Gulf region and similar arid areas facing food production limitations.
KW - Oman
KW - arid zone countries
KW - elemental sulphur
KW - soil amendment
KW - soil salinity
KW - water management
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85168565777&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/5b4ad7d0-34b2-31a4-9785-81cb72d12286/
U2 - 10.1111/sum.12961
DO - 10.1111/sum.12961
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85168565777
SN - 0266-0032
VL - 40
JO - Soil Use and Management
JF - Soil Use and Management
IS - 1
M1 - e12961
ER -