Ibb: The Secretary-General of the Local Council in Ibb Governorate, Amin Al-Warafi, today launched work on a number of agricultural initiatives in Ba'dan District. These projects are implemented under the supervision of the agriculture sector in the governorate, with support from the Agricultural and Fisheries Projects Financing Unit, totaling a cost of 45 million, 981 thousand, and 889 riyals.
According to Yemen News Agency, the initiatives include the inauguration of the Sha'b Al-Wali Asfar reservoir, which boasts a storage capacity of 1,071 cubic meters. This project was completed at a cost of 17 million, 777 thousand, and 159 riyals, with a significant community contribution of 12 million, 779 thousand, and 641 riyals. The Financing Unit also contributed 999 bags of cement, valued at four million, 998 thousand, and 159 riyals.
Another project, the collection reservoir in the Al-Thaja' area, was also opened, featuring a capacity of 810 cubic meters. This was achieved at a total expenditure of 14 million, 204 thousand, and 730 riyals, with the community contributing ten million, 170 thousand, and 110 riyals, and the Financing Unit adding four million, 32 thousand, and 620 riyals.
In the Sha'b Al-Gharaq Al-Jaboub area, a collection reservoir project was completed at a cost of 14 million riyals, offering a storage capacity of 1,160 cubic meters. The reservoir's dimensions are 23 meters in length, 18 meters in width, and a height of two meters and 80 centimeters. This project will provide additional water for irrigating agricultural lands in the vicinity.
During the launch, Al-Warafi emphasized the local authority's commitment to supporting community initiatives in the agricultural sector. He highlighted the sector's role in enhancing local development and optimizing water resource use. Al-Warafi also commended the people of Ba'dan District for their contributions, which demonstrate a strong community awareness of water resource management and its significance in agricultural activities.
He further appreciated the efforts of the agriculture sector and the Agricultural and Fisheries Projects Financing Unit in supporting these community initiatives. Al-Warafi underlined the importance of continuing this approach to bolster the agricultural sector's resilience, combat water scarcity, and recharge surface wells, ultimately benefiting farmers and enhancing food security.
Al-Warafi urged farmers in Ba'dan District to take advantage of water harvesting projects to expand the cultivation of grains and local crops, thereby increasing production, achieving self-sufficiency, and reducing dependency on imported goods.
Engineer Hammoud Al-Rasas, the official overseeing the agriculture sector in the governorate, stressed the significance of water harvesting and collection projects in addressing farmers' irrigation needs. He encouraged the expansion of grain and main crop cultivation to boost productivity and improve water resource efficiency.
Al-Rasas noted that these projects will provide irrigation water for approximately 200 hectares of agricultural land, supporting agricultural stability and productivity. He praised the partnership between the community and official bodies in serving the agricultural sector.
Dr. Mohammed Al-Qadri, director of the Agricultural and Fisheries Projects Financing Unit in the governorate, explained that these projects are part of a broader program aimed at motivating community contributions to agricultural development. He emphasized the importance of aligning official and community efforts toward sustainable projects that directly impact farmers' lives and enhance food security.
Dr. Al-Qadri underscored the need for enhanced community partnership and efficient resource utilization to achieve agricultural development goals, highlighting the resilience and self-reliance of Yemeni society in overcoming challenges through community initiatives.
