Taiz:The Agricultural and Fisheries Projects and Initiatives Financing Unit in Taiz governorate has launched a significant project aimed at rehabilitating irrigation canals and constructing earthen embankments in Mawza' district. This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to revitalize agricultural and developmental activities in the area following its clearance of Saudi-led enemy forces.
According to Yemen News Agency, the project focuses on restoring agricultural activity in Wadi Mawza', a region known for its extensive plains and fertile soil. The valley has been underutilized amid increasing desertification, but it holds significant potential for collecting and channeling water and seasonal flood runoff. Engineer Hussein Al-Rashidi, Director-General of the governorate's financing unit, noted that technical teams were dispatched to assess the agricultural situation and identify urgent needs following the area's clearance.
Al-Rashidi emphasized that Wadi Mawza' is one of Yemen's top valleys in terms of agricultural productivity and soil fertility, receiving floodwaters from various districts. However, misguided policies by certain organizations, which focused on short-term cash assistance, have discouraged farming activity and contributed to a decline in local agricultural production. The unit aims to address these issues by rehabilitating around 50 irrigation canals and constructing protective structures for agricultural land.
So far, the unit has restored nearly 20 canals, reclaiming approximately 53 hectares of farmland and benefiting between 120 and 150 farmers. Future plans include launching community-based land-tilling programs, distributing millet seeds, and establishing pilot fields for white sesame cultivation. Additionally, the unit will distribute Baini seeds, a traditional variety native to Wadi Mawza', to restore agricultural productivity and alleviate economic burdens on residents.
Al-Rashidi also highlighted the negative impact of the presence of Saudi aggression forces, which had halted agricultural activity and disrupted local markets. The price of Baini Mawza'i seeds has escalated due to scarcity, but the unit is committed to propagating these local varieties to revive the valley's agricultural heritage.
The financing unit has also announced veterinary campaigns to protect livestock and improve breeds, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, and Tihama Development Authority. Meanwhile, the Bunyan Development Foundation is conducting field assessments and workshops to develop a comprehensive emergency plan for sustainable development in the region.
