Al-hodeidah: During 2025, Al Hodeidah Governorate experienced a significant surge in development within its agriculture and fisheries sectors. The Projects and Agricultural and Fisheries Initiatives Financing Unit turned this momentum into concrete achievements by funding and executing strategic projects aimed at bolstering food security and promoting self-sufficiency.
According to Yemen News Agency, irrigation projects were at the forefront of the Unit’s development agenda. The first phase of rehabilitating irrigation facilities and canals in Wadi Zabid was completed at a cost of 189,866,000 riyals. This project focuses on harvesting floodwaters and optimizing their distribution to improve water-use efficiency and agricultural productivity in the region.
In an effort to expand green areas, the Unit sponsored the second phase of the Green Belt project for Al Hodeidah city and its outskirts. This included planting 7,000 palm trees and 60,000 various trees at the city’s main entrances, costing 168 million riyals. The project was jointly funded by the Unit, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the private sector.
The vegetation expansion extended to Al-Zaydiyah District, where the second phase of the Sidr seedling planting project was initiated. This effort, funded by the Unit and executed by cooperative beekeepers’ associations, aims to enhance local honey production and support beekeepers in Tihama Plain by cultivating 20,000 seedlings.
Additionally, the Unit bolstered the institutional capacity of agricultural associations by providing complete office furnishings to cooperative associations in Al-Jarrahi, Jabal Ras, and At-Tuhayta districts, costing 3,500,000 riyals. This initiative is part of a broader program targeting 12 associations to improve their efficiency in serving farmers.
In the northern zone, particularly Al-Dhahi District, groundwork was laid for several agricultural projects in Al-Jarabih and Al-Kadan areas at a total cost of 272,556,000 riyals. These projects, fully funded by the Unit, aim to strengthen agricultural infrastructure and research capabilities.
Key interventions in Al-Jarabih included drilling five artesian wells with solar energy systems and modern irrigation networks on the General Corporation for Improved Seed Multiplication’s farm, costing 159,273,000 riyals. This ensures sustainable seed production and an affordable supply for farmers.
To boost agricultural scientific research, the Unit funded the restoration of the Agricultural Research Center (Tihama Station) in Al-Kadan at a cost of 113,282,000 riyals. This project aims to enhance the center’s role in crop development and field research, helping farmers tackle climate challenges and pests.
In the southern zone, the Unit launched agricultural and development projects totaling 344,533,000 riyals. This included rehabilitating irrigation canals in Zabid and renovating buildings for the General Authority for Tihama Development to strengthen its support for the agricultural sector.
In At-Tuhayta District, development efforts included constructing six dual halls with greenhouses and nurseries at a cost of 67,221,000 riyals, and drilling a new well equipped with a solar energy system in Al-Faza area for 24 million riyals, supporting agricultural production in coastal areas.
The Unit allocated 50 million riyals to support community initiatives and economic empowerment in At-Tuhayta District, promoting community participation in agricultural development and supporting productive families and small-scale farmers.
For agricultural mechanization, the Unit delivered heavy machinery to the General Authority for Tihama Development at a cost of 240 million riyals to aid in land reclamation, canal excavation, and infrastructure development.
Efforts also extended to the Tihama coast through funding for cultivating sand dunes and hard lands, aiming to transform them into productive areas with active participation from cooperative associations.
In the fisheries sector, construction began on the Central Laboratory Building for Fish and Marine Life at the General Authority for Red Sea Fisheries, costing 129 million riyals. This project ensures quality control of fish exports and enhances the economic value of marine products.
The Unit also supported rural road initiatives, including the ‘Az-Zahrah – Deir Al-Akhrash’ road, with joint funding of 192,585,000 riyals. This project improves connectivity for farmers and facilitates access to markets, along with distributing hybrid maize seeds in Al-Dhahi to boost productivity.
Yahya Al-Wadie, Director of the Projects and Agricultural and Fisheries Initiatives Financing Unit, stated that the projects and interventions in 2025 aligned with leadership directives and an ambitious plan to leverage the governorate’s advantages for self-sufficiency and reduced import costs.
He highlighted the focus on sustainable projects, such as rehabilitating irrigation canals and research centers, as key to advancing agriculture and ensuring essential inputs for farmers. Empowering cooperative associations was also central to the Unit’s priorities, emphasizing their role in managing projects and extending development benefits across Tihama Plain.
Al-Wadie affirmed that interventions included fisheries, rural roads, and water resource development, noting that supplying heavy equipment and establishing the central fish laboratory are crucial for strengthening infrastructure and protecting resources.
He concluded by affirming the Unit’s commitment to implementing innovative projects, praising the cooperation with local authorities and development institutions in achieving these accomplishments.