Sanaa: Acting Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources Ammar Al-Karim, accompanied by senior officials from the Sana'a Capital Sana'a, the General Authority for Water Resources and Water Facilities, and local authorities, visited on Sunday Bayt Hadyan area in Bani Al-Harith district to assess its water infrastructure needs and discuss projects aimed at supporting agriculture and groundwater recharge.
According to Yemen News Agency, during the visit, the delegation met with local sheikhs, community leaders, and residents, who outlined their needs for irrigation projects to support the area's vineyards and emphasized the importance of strengthening community-led initiatives in implementing water infrastructure projects.
Al-Karim affirmed the ministry's commitment to supporting and developing water infrastructure in Bani Al-Harith district, describing it as an important agricultural area. He said meeting Bayt Hadyan's needs for dams and water barriers was among the ministry's top priorities to maximize rainwater harvesting and enhance groundwater recharge.
He also praised the growing public awareness among local residents in promoting community initiatives, noting that the ministry would provide technical assistance and advisory support to enable communities to play an active role in implementing water projects, ensuring their sustainability and expanding cultivated farmland.
For his part, First Undersecretary of the Sana'a Capital Sana'a Khaled Al-Madani stressed the importance of coordinated efforts between government institutions and local communities to advance the state's drive toward greater self-sufficiency, particularly in cash crops.
He added that the capital Sana'a's leadership would work with relevant authorities to remove obstacles and facilitate the implementation of community initiatives that contribute to sustainable development in the district.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the General Authority for Water Resources and Water Facilities, Engineer Hadi Qurai'ah, said the authority would form a technical team from its headquarters and Sana'a branch to conduct the necessary field hydrological studies in the area.
He explained that expanding surface water facilities in Bani Al-Harith district would help reduce pressure on Sana'a's groundwater basin, while commending local residents for their initiative and commitment to protecting and developing water resources allocated for agriculture.
The delegation also met with farmers to discuss their requirements for water projects related to groundwater recharge and irrigation, particularly for grape farms, which are a key agricultural product of the area and an important source for meeting local market demand.