Beit al faqih: The Governor of Hodeidah, Abdullah Atifi, today initiated the first Tihama Mango Festival in the Al Husseiniya area of Beit Al Faqih district. Organized by the multipurpose agricultural cooperative, the festival is held in coordination with the local authority and relevant bodies.
According to Yemen News Agency, Governor Atifi, alongside local and executive leaders, representatives of the private sector, and agricultural associations, toured the exhibition accompanying the festival. They viewed a broad range of Tihami mango varieties displayed by producers, farmers, and exporters and listened to detailed explanations about production mechanisms, modern marketing, and future plans aimed at expanding value-added industries related to this strategic crop.
Governor Atifi praised the organizational efforts of the supervising committees and the cooperative association, considering the festival a practical step to translate the directives of the revolutionary and political leadership in activating the agricultural front. He highlighted the collective responsibility of official bodies, popular organizations, and the private sector in supporting farmers, focusing on consuming and marketing local products, and enhancing investment partnerships to develop Yemeni agricultural products.
Atifi appreciated the successes achieved by the multipurpose agricultural cooperative in Beit Al Faqih district, considering its pioneering step in distributing financial profits to shareholders, including farmers and members, as proof of the efficiency of cooperative management. He called on all cooperatives in the province to replicate this successful development path.
The governor affirmed that the local authority prioritizes the agricultural sector and will work to provide facilities to overcome difficulties for farmers and associations, ensuring land reclamation and increased productivity to support the national economy and ensure food security.
Deputy Governor for southern square districts, Mutahar Al Hadi, described the festival as a unique economic and agricultural phenomenon. He praised the community cohesion and coordination that led to the festival's success, reflecting the fruits of continuous support from the state, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Supreme Agricultural and Fisheries Committee. Al Hadi expressed hope that the festival would launch value-added industries and advanced export centers in the province.
Director of Beit Al Faqih district, Hussein Sahl, highlighted the district's strategic importance on the agricultural map. He emphasized that expanding mango tree cultivation and adopting correct agricultural practices contribute to self-sufficiency and open investment opportunities.
The head of the multipurpose agricultural cooperative in Beit Al Faqih, Abdul Salam Bahnan, reviewed the festival's objectives, emphasizing integration between mango producers, commercial companies, and investors. He promised continued ambitious plans to support farmers and grow the cooperative economy.
Representatives of farmers and the private sector praised the official patronage, expressing readiness to expand investment in packaging and food processing industries. The festival also featured artistic and folkloric performances, celebrating Tihami heritage. The event concluded with the honoring of contributing parties and distinguished farmers with certificates of appreciation and commemorative shields.