Dhamar: The General Company for Potato Seed Production in Dhamar Governorate inaugurated the potato crop harvest for the spring season of 1447 AH, both in its fields and those of local farmers. During the event, Dr. Ibrahim Al-Sarraji, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, emphasized the company's pivotal role in bolstering the agricultural sector through the provision of improved seeds, meeting market demands, expanding cultivation areas, and enhancing food security.
According to Yemen News Agency, Al-Sarraji highlighted that the cessation of seed imports three years ago has resulted in self-sufficiency in potato production. He urged companies and farmers to adopt local seeds in line with leadership directives, stressing the superior quality and yield of domestically produced seeds over imported ones. The ministry is also contemplating the export of potato seeds, further underscoring the country's achievements.
Engineer Hamdan Al-Akwa, General Manager of the company, announced that the organization has surpassed self-sufficiency and is now poised to enter the export market. This development signifies a milestone for Yemen and the broader Arab region. Al-Akwa noted that the consistent supply and pricing stability over the past three years reflect the leadership's and government's agricultural strategies aimed at self-sufficiency.
The company's spring season production has exceeded 8,000 tons of high-quality seeds, delivering nine local varieties that cater to market needs. Al-Akwa expressed optimism about Yemen's potential as a future exporter of potato seeds, attributing the success to the dedication of the company's staff and the support of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources.
Sheikh Saleh Al-Khulani, a member of the Yemeni Scholars Association, lauded the reliance on local seeds for the potato harvest as a realization of the leadership's self-sufficiency directives. He underscored the necessity of fortifying the agricultural sector to achieve self-reliance, commending the accomplishments of the General Company for Potato Seed Production.