Taiz:The agricultural sector in Taiz Governorate, represented by engineers from the Unit for Financing Agricultural Projects, Initiatives, and Livestock, has conducted a week-long field assessment. This evaluation aimed to assess the current situation and needs of farmers in the crop, livestock, and water resource sectors within the liberated districts.
According to Yemen News Agency, the assessment involved officials from local agricultural offices and covered extensive agricultural lands in the districts of Al-Mukha, Mawza, and parts of Jabal Habashi, Al-Ma'afir, and Al-Shamayatayn. This initiative aligns with the directives of the revolutionary and political leadership, as well as the local authority, to revitalize the agricultural sector and foster an agricultural renaissance to achieve self-sufficiency and food security.
The joint team explained that the assessment aimed to diagnose the current agricultural landscape and identify priorities for support and intervention. Key focus areas included rainwater harvesting through the construction of water barriers and reservoirs, expanding modern irrigation networks, and monitoring crop pests and livestock diseases to address and mitigate these issues urgently.
The team highlighted the necessity of developing infrastructure and productive capacity by introducing modern agricultural technologies and providing high-yield, improved seeds tailored to district-specific conditions. Their field visit identified significant supply and logistical gaps faced by farmers, including a scarcity of essential agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and safe pesticides, as well as a lack of effective irrigation systems. Additionally, there is an urgent need for comprehensive, free-of-charge vaccination campaigns for livestock to combat seasonal diseases.
Furthermore, the assessment noted vast tracts of fertile yet uncultivated land, with farmers lacking the financial resources required for reclamation and development. In some areas, land has been damaged by flash floods, necessitating immediate emergency intervention to rehabilitate flood barriers and restore eroded land. The high costs associated with mechanized tilling also present a financial burden for farmers.
The field team emphasized the strategic importance of revitalizing multi-purpose agricultural cooperatives. These cooperatives are crucial for organizing farmers' efforts and encouraging the expansion of grain cultivation and livestock production, transforming the liberated districts into a key developmental resource and strengthening national resilience.
