Quality: soil, water, nutrients

Adam is very well known for its arid climate, hot weather, fresh water and the farmers’ traditional ways of paying attention to small details when it comes to taking care of their glorified palm
trees. Adam’s variety of FARD is considered one of the best harvest in Oman. In fact, it is much better if the skin is no longer smooth but slightly shriveled.

For ages, date gardens in the Oasis of Adam have been cultivated in a traditional and sustainable way. The soil is kept fertile for generations by purely organic fertilization using animal manure.

Due to the low rainfall in Adam of 100 to 200 mm annually, agriculture is not possible without irrigation. For centuries (estimated at about 5000 years), the water supply of the population and the agricultural areas is provided by Aflaj (Singular: Falaj) systems. These ancient water channels can extend sometimes to many kilometers and are fed in some areas
by tunnels that are up to 50 meters deep. This unique type of
irrigation exists only in Oman, where it is deeply rooted to the country’s land, history and people way of life.

Aflaj systems are divided into three types:

1. Dawoodi Falaj: – These are long channels dug underground that run for several kilometers. Their depth usually reaches up to tens of meters, so water is present in these channels all year round.
2. Ghaili Falaj: – This falaj receives the water from ponds or running water. Its depths does not exceed 3-4 meters. Water quantities increase in this falaj directly after rainfall and usually dry up quickly during extended dry periods.
3. Ayni Falaj: – This falaj draws the water directly from the springs (wells), including hot springs. The importance of this
   falaj depends on their water quality, which varies between hot and cold, and between fresh drinking water, saline water, and between alkaline water mixed with valley water, considered suitable for agriculture.

Further information on Aflaj systems can be found in “Irrigation Scheduling of Aflaj of Oman”, from which the graphic on the left comes from. You can download the report here

The Falaj water in Adam is a Dawoodi type; it is rich in minerals and of good quality. Since Adam now has its own drinking water, supplied by the government, more water remains for watering the palm gardens and for agriculture in general. Nutrient supply comes mainly from the manure of the animals, which are fed with dates that do not meet the quality standards. It is a natural cycle.