Dhamar: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Local Administration, Rural Development, Mohammed Al-Madani, together with Dhamar Governor Mohammed Al-Bukhaiti, conducted an inspection of agricultural institutions and activities, focusing on the production levels at the General Company for Potato Seed Production.
According to Yemen News Agency, Al-Madani emphasized the significance of self-sufficiency in potato seeds, highlighting market management and production regulation. He encouraged investment in food processing industries using potato crops and praised research teams for their success in producing potato seedlings through tissue culture techniques. Governor Al-Bukhaiti stressed the importance of intensifying efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in food crops.
Tariq Al-Qahoum, deputy executive director of the company, attributed the success in producing multiple generations of potato seeds to research efforts and support from revolutionary and political leadership. Al-Madani and Al-Bukhaiti also assessed progress at the Public Institution for Improved Seed Propagation, acknowledging its role in introducing new high-yield, pest-resistant crop varieties.
Engineer Abdullah Al-Wadaei, director of the institution, outlined activities for the upcoming agricultural season, including the cultivation of wheat strains. He highlighted increased seed productivity, contracts with farmers, and seed support provision. The officials also visited a model farm to observe organic fertilizer production from waste, commending local initiatives in this area.
The visit included an inspection of fruit and ornamental seedling production at the Harran Agricultural Nursery, which has an annual capacity of 300,000 seedlings. Al-Madani called for expanded distribution and nursery establishment, while Governor Al-Bukhaiti mentioned a project to plant 400,000 sidr and camphor trees.
Al-Madani also reviewed the "Sifal Al-Sar" barrier construction in Afk, Jahran District. Engineer Fares Al-Shamahi and Mohammed Nashwan explained the project, funded with 86,389,000 rials, has a storage capacity of 81,200 cubic meters. Currently, it is 15% complete and aims to serve agricultural lands and residents.
An expanded meeting led by Al-Madani and attended by local leaders discussed enhancing development efforts. Al-Madani stressed the importance of coordination, community work, project monitoring, and promoting integration to advance the agricultural sector and market local products.