Germany: The Shar'ab Al-Rawnah Agricultural Cooperative Association in Taiz governorate launched a project to distribute and operate solar energy systems for banana and highland corn farmers affected by rain floods in the sub-district of "Bani Sari."
According to Yemen News Agency, Deputy Governor of Taiz for Development Affairs, Abdulwasea Al Shamsi, stated that distributing these systems is a strategic move to support farmers. The initiative, funded by the local authority through the Unit for Financing Projects and Initiatives, aims to empower productive families, improve irrigation efficiency, and enhance the use of modern agricultural equipment. This effort is seen as crucial for ensuring the sustainability of the agricultural sector and boosting local production.
Engineer Abdullah Al Jundi, head of the agricultural sector in the governorate, highlighted that solar energy is a key component in the "value chains" of agricultural products. He emphasized that providing clean energy to water-rich valleys in the district will help reduce production costs, encouraging farmers to expand their agricultural activities and increase productivity.
Osama Al Qatabri, director of Shar'ab Al-Rawnah district, noted that this initiative offers significant potential for addressing the challenges faced by farmers in villages and sub-districts. He stressed the importance of collaboration between official bodies and local residents to maximize the potential of fertile valleys.
Engineer Hussein Al Rashidi, director of the Unit for Financing Agricultural and Fisheries Projects and Initiatives, explained that the systems were delivered under an interest-free loan system. The total project cost was 5,278,395 Yemeni riyals, with the Financing Unit covering 70% and farmers contributing the remaining 30%. The intervention was a response to farmers' appeals after flood damage, which threatened banana cultivation in the region.
Majid Al Sagheer, head of the Agricultural Cooperative Union branch in the governorate, remarked that distributing the four systems aligns with the broader goal of providing agricultural inputs and reducing operating costs, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of local products.
Iyad Awahj, coordinator of the Bonyan Foundation in the governorate, discussed the process of identifying flood-affected individuals in "Bani Sari," known for its banana, mango, corn, and sorghum cultivation. He affirmed that interest-free loans will continue to support those affected, with plans to provide additional resources like "coffee tree" seedlings to help farmers cope with flood damage.
Hamdan Al Sharafi, the mobilization official in the district, emphasized that these development projects are foundational for building a strong national economy with autonomous decision-making capabilities. He praised the revolutionary leadership's focus on the agricultural sector as essential for achieving food security.
Benefiting farmers expressed their gratitude for the swift response from the leadership and local authority. They noted that transitioning from costly diesel pumps to solar energy would enable them to expand agriculture and increase crop yields with greater economic efficiency.