In the Mazhar district of Raymah Governorate, farmer Shawqi Al-Hasani stands proudly, gazing at an avocado fruit he has just picked from his tree. Amid the vast mountains and valleys of Raymah, Al-Hasani has successfully cultivated avocados, marking an agricultural milestone that enhances the governorate's growing reputation for producing rare crops.
“In recent years, the spread of rare crops in Raymah Governorate has gained fame, inspiring many farmers in other Governorates to consider cultivating crops that were previously forgotten by farmers and neglected by official authorities.”
Shawqi's journey began years ago, driven by his passion and willingness to innovate. He saw this challenge as an opportunity to grow and expand fruit cultivation, motivated by a strong belief in the health benefits and promising economic returns of these crops. He recounts his success story to "Khuyut," describing how he managed to grow this rare tropical fruit in Yemen and the region: "The increasing demand for avocados in local and regional markets, along with a strong desire to reduce import costs and achieve self-sufficiency, was a powerful incentive for me to embark on this agricultural adventure. Initially, it was not easy at first to overcome the natural challenges and obstacles in the path to realizing this dream."
Initially, Shawqi succeeded in cultivating his first avocado tree, and then managed to produce 600 seedlings in the second phase, considering this as a personal and community accomplishment. His achievement extends beyond merely producing a fruit that Yemen imports around 600 tons of annually; it also serves as an inspiring model for local farmers seeking innovative approaches. He distributed avocado seedlings to other districts to share his experience, ultimately reaching about four thousand seedlings across various districts of Raymah.
Raymah Agricultural Governorate
Raymah Governorate is situated in the midst of the western mountain range, characterized by its complex terrain with numerous twists and steep slopes. Agriculture is one of the primary activities practiced by the residents, thanks to the region's diverse topography and climate.
The Director of the Agriculture Office in Raymah, Ibrahim Al-Takrouri, informs Khuyut that the cultivated area in Raymah spans 22,249 hectares, distributed as follows: 8,261 hectares for grains with a production of 7,768 tons; 7,599 hectares for coffee with a production of 4,293 tons; 1,039 hectares for legumes with a production of 2,677 tons; 500 hectares for fruits with a production of 7,263 tons; 1,341 hectares for fodder with a production of 18,904 tons; and 50 hectares for vegetables with a production of 565 tons."
Despite relying on rainwater for irrigation, agriculture in Raymah Governorate is practiced across the mountains, plains, and valleys, with grains and legumes being the primary crops cultivated on a large scale.
Al-Takrouri notes that the deciduous fruits like peaches, apples, and almonds are grown in the high mountainous areas, such as Al-Jabeen, Kusmah, and Mazhar. In turn, coffee trees are cultivated in the lower and medium-altitude mountainous areas, while permanent fruits like bananas, mangoes, guavas, and pepper grapes are grown in the valleys. The region also boasts a diverse plant cover of vegetables, forest products, olives, and medicinal and aromatic plants.
On the other hand, farmers need training in harvesting and the professional cultivation of small plots, especially in the mountains. They consider marketing to be the most critical stage that encourages them to expand cultivation and increase production, in a direct relationship: the better the market, the more abundant and plentiful the production.
“Tamarind trees are giant and long-lived, with lifespans exceeding 300 years and heights reaching around ten meters. They are known for their ability to withstand drought and salinity, thriving in tropical and subtropical regions, as well as in clay, sandy, and saline soils. Despite these advantages, they are slow to bear fruit, typically not producing until after ten years.”
For his part, agricultural engineer Abdullah Al-Qadhi, owner of a plant nursery in Bilad Al-Ta'am, tells "Khuyut" that the seedlings found in Raymah and across Yemen include rare crops, some of which are not even available in advanced European countries. However, Yemeni farmers struggle with limited resources on one hand, and weak marketing strategies on the other, especially with the decline in purchasing power rates among citizens and the high costs of production that are not covered by the crop’s revenues.
Ginger
Yemen's import of ginger is estimated at about 10% of the total imported fruits, although there is some debate over whether ginger should be classified as a fruit or a vegetable. These imports are made with foreign currency, which makes the recent announcement on ginger cultivation in Raymah Governorate particularly noteworthy. Contrary to common belief, ginger farming is not new to the region; in fact, Raymah is the only governorate in Yemen that has been cultivating ginger for over twenty years, particularly in the Bani Saeed and Bani Ahmed areas of Al-Ja’fariya District.
Ahmed Haidar Al-Waleedi, head of the Al-Ja’afariah Multipurpose Cooperative Agricultural Association, tells "Khuyut": "Ginger cultivation in the district has a long history. However, its production has been limited to a certain number of farmers, particularly those who own land in valleys and other areas suited for cultivation. Initially, the goal was to meet the personal consumption needs of the families growing it. However, since 2020, the cultivation has gradually expanded, leading to an increase in both the farming areas and the overall production."
Moreover, he points out that the district’s climatic diversity has contributed to an increase in the variety of agricultural crops, including grains, fruits, cash crops, and aromatic and medicinal plants. Its distinctive geographical location has made it conducive to diverse agricultural activities.
Al-Waleedi emphasized that it is difficult to accurately determine production quantities due to the irregular practices of farmers and individual distribution methods. Moreover, some farmers, especially those facing economic difficulties, often sell their crops before the harvest season.
According to official agricultural statistics reviewed by "Khuyut," the Al-Ja'afariah district produced 22 tons of ginger in 2021. Farmers estimate that from early 2020 to the end of 2023, their total production reached about 50 tons. The price of local ginger was around 1,500 riyals per kilogram, compared to double that for imported ginger.
Likewise, agricultural sources emphasized to "Khuyut" that 2024 has been the worst year for ginger production. They attribute the decline to water scarcity and a lack of an encouraging market for farmers. The experience of farmers who were shocked by the market reality and production costs not being covered, coupled with marketing monopolies by a few traders without official oversight, all contributed to the decline in ginger cultivation expansion.
Turmeric
Turmeric, locally known as al-Hurod al-baladi, is one of the rare crops for which Raymah Governorate is renowned. Over thirty years ago, a Yemeni expatriate brought turmeric seeds to the Al-Ja'afariah district. For many years, the product was limited to local consumption. However, in the past three years, its cultivation has significantly expanded, now covering large areas, particularly in the Bani Saeed, Bani Waqid, and Bani al-Ja’ad regions.
The suitable climate and fertile mountainous land have contributed to turmeric's growth. Additionally, the significant attention and encouragement from the media and social media platforms have motivated farmers to expand their cultivation. This support has been largely community-driven rather than organized by official entities.
In 2021, turmeric production in Raymah Governorate reached 21 tons, according to data from the local office of the Ministry of Agriculture. Production expanded in 2022 and 2023, but, like ginger, it has declined this year for similar reasons. Likewise, the Annona fruit is also another product that the Raymah governorate exports to local markets. According to data from the agricultural office, the governorate produced approximately 442 tons of this fruit in 2023.
Ali Mahfouz Al-Omari, the Director of the Agriculture Office in Bilad Al-Ta'am District, states to "Khuyut" that several experiments have been conducted on a number of crops such as ginger and turmeric, and that these experiments were successful in the district. However, he noted that the rare crops cultivated in the district are mostly consumed locally and are not intended for export. The district is also well-known for cultivating fruits such as various types of mangoes, bananas, lemons, and papayas, as well as grains, particularly mountain millet, red corn, maize, and sorghum, in addition to a variety of vegetables.
Almonds
Despite the widespread cultivation of almonds across several districts in Raymah governorate, the success story of "Al-Mahjar Village" in Kusmah District caught our attention, prompting us to delve deeper into its details.
The protagonist of this story, farmer Mohammed Ameen, shared the village's story with "Khuyut," saying, "Most of the villagers migrated to the city, which led to the spread of desertification in the agricultural lands. These lands were overtaken by various non-fruit-bearing trees, such as teak, causing the farmland to deteriorate and eventually become abandoned."
He adds, "I took the initiative to invite the villagers of Al-Mahjar to plant almond trees and uproot the teak trees. We began the first phase by planting 20 almond trees per family. Everyone, even those who had moved to the city, embraced the initiative. We also issued a protection document to safeguard these trees from being cut down or grazed. The cultivation of these trees expanded, and now there are nearly a thousand almond trees spread across five villages."
He further explained that during the first phase, he distributed 200 one-year-old saplings, each weighing 20 kilograms with its own soil base. In the second phase, farmers were encouraged to participate by offering saplings at a nominal price of no more than 1,000 Yemeni riyals each. He emphasized that the area requires around 20,000 saplings to cover the upper parts of the Kusmah mountains.
Likewise, in Kusmah District, there is Jabal Bard, the second-highest peak in Yemen after Jabal An-Nabi Shu'ayb, with an elevation of approximately 2,850 meters above sea level. An area at this altitude and with such cold conditions is suitable for cultivating a wide variety of grains, vegetables, and fruits. However, successful cultivation in this environment requires careful engineering oversight to protect crops from frost, as well as to manage humidity, fertilization, and irrigation.
In this regard, Mohammed Mahmoud, the Director of the Agriculture Office in Al-Salafiya District, tells "Khuyut" that these rare crops are currently being tested in the district. If these experiments prove successful, they will be extended throughout the district. He noted that almond cultivation is predominantly concentrated in the Bani Al-Wahidi area.
Tamarind
Tamarind trees are giant and long-lived, with lifespans exceeding 300 years and heights reaching around ten meters. They are known for their ability to withstand drought and salinity, thriving in tropical and subtropical regions, as well as in clay, sandy, and saline soils. Despite these advantages, they are slow to bear fruit, typically not producing until after ten years.
Yemen imported 142.5 tons of tamarind in 2021, with imports rising to 450 tons in 2022, despite its abundance in Yemen.
In 2023, Raymah produced 90 tons of tamarind from Wadi Mazhar and Al-Ja’fariya, according to the Director of the Agriculture Office in Raymah. Additionally, production in many districts is primarily consumed locally or sold individually due to the lack of a marketing mechanism.
Al-Takrouri explained that last year, the Agriculture and Irrigation Office coordinated with the Agricultural Services Corporation to market the tamarind product by requiring traders to purchase local produce. He noted that an automatic packaging machine was also brought in from the Agricultural Services Corporation branch in Al-Hodeidah governorate to streamline the marketing process and maintain product quality.
In this context, Farmer Shawki Al-Hasani estimated the current year’s tamarind production in Mazhar district to exceed 60 tons, expecting a significant increase from last year, with the season still ongoing. He noted that last year’s encouragement from the Agricultural Services Corporation to purchase this product motivated farmers. The corporation bought the product from farmers at 1,500 riyals per kilogram, while it sold in markets at 1,000 riyals.
Cardamom
Cardamom is planted using seeds in well-drained fertile soil, requiring soil temperatures between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius. Cardamom seeds take about 30 to 45 days to germinate.
Regarding his experience in cultivating cardamom, farmer Wadhah Al-Qatwi tells "Khuyut": "What initially motivated me to attempt growing cardamom was its high market price. I decided to embark on this experiment after reading some online references about how to cultivate cardamom and the potential economic benefits and feasibility."
Wadhah, a resident of the village of Qatu in Al-Jabeen District, added, "The idea took shape two years ago. After several attempts, I finally succeeded, and I felt a deep sense of joy when I harvested my first crop. This success motivated me to expand my cultivation and encourage other farmers, especially those from my area, to do the same. I currently have 40 cardamom trees."
Farmer Wadhah's experience with this rare crop has become an inspiration to other farmers, demonstrating that Raymah is a fertile land capable of producing non-traditional crops. He successfully convinced four other farmers to grow cardamom, bringing the total number of trees in his area to 120.
Al-Qatwi points out that the future holds potential for greater success and prosperity in cultivating rare crops, including cardamom, which requires "fresh seeds" suitable for planting. He emphasizes that the terrain, soil, and climate are well-suited for large-scale expansion of this crop. Meanwhile, the Director of the Agriculture Office mentioned that two additional experiments for cardamom cultivation have been conducted, and a feasibility study is currently underway to potentially scale up the experiment.
Peanuts
Raymah also cultivates peanuts, locally known as "Hab Al-Aziz," in abundance. The experiment started in 2021 in the Mazhar area with five farmers in Maswar and later expanded to Wadi Mazhar. Initially, two tons were produced, and the cultivation was significantly scaled up. According to the Director of the Agriculture Office in the governorate, nine tons of peanuts were produced from Wadi Mazhar over the past three years, with the quantity purchased by the Agricultural Services Foundation.
Saffron and Other Crops
Saffron is considered one of the most profitable crops, yet Yemen suffers from its limited cultivation. However, farmer Shawki Al-Hasani tells "Khuyut" that growing saffron is feasible, as the land is suitable for cultivating a wide range of productive crops, including saffron. The only hindrance is the lack of awareness about the region's potential for cultivating such plants.
Al-Hasani adds, "For years, I sought saffron seedlings and seeds until I finally managed to obtain some from Egypt. Despite their exhausted state upon arrival, I tried to revive them by all means until I succeeded."
He continues, "Now, I have saffron seedlings and have started experimenting with them in various areas between the mountains and valleys. Saffron is one of the most important crops I focus on, and I hope to generalize and expand its cultivation across Raymah Governorate and the entire country, as it is among the most expensive and economically rewarding products." He noted that he currently has about 30 varieties of rare fruit and crop seedlings in Yemen, and he is working on developing them to generalize the experience. Despite the traditional nature of his nursery, he is striving to modernize it gradually.
Wild Palm Trees
Farmer Mohammed Ahmed Al-Hajj tells "Khuyut" that the Al-Jabeen district is one of the agricultural districts where all types of crops can be grown, including rare ones. He points out that wild palm trees, for example, are a neglected crop that is widely found on farms, especially those without other crops. He believes these wild palms can be significantly exploited.
He also highlights that the Annona is an important product in the district, and farmers have started to shift towards cultivating avocados and other crops that offer better economic returns for them.
Black Tea
According to the Agriculture Office in Raymah, black tea is currently produced in two areas within the governorate: Al-Hadiyah and Mazhar. The office is currently working on obtaining a quality certification from the Standards and Metrology Authority to generalize this experience across the province.
Challenges
Regarding future trends and the main challenges facing the cultivation of rare crops in Raymah, Ahmed Haider Al-Waleedi, Head of the Agricultural Association in the Al-Ja’fariya District, speaks about expansion projects in ginger cultivation. He states, "The association conducted a field study in six regions of the district as an initial phase, which included identifying the lands suitable for expanding ginger cultivation with minimal available resources and maintaining the same quality. During this phase, the lands were prepared for growing the crop."
He added, "Farmers who own the targeted lands were encouraged and invited to cultivate ginger and prepare their fertile lands. The association committed to providing improved seeds for this crop on a loan basis, to be repaid upon harvest. This served as an incentive for farmers to expand their cultivation. The association committed to supplying the farmers with the necessary ginger seeds based on promises from the relevant authorities. However, despite continuous follow-ups and communication, and raising the required needs for the targeted lands, this has not materialized, which has led to frustration among the farmers."
“The Raymah governorate, like many other Yemeni provinces, does not effectively utilize rainfall, and it may even surpass others in terms of wasted water. This is particularly concerning given that Raymah, despite suffering from neglect, is characterized by its diverse geographical terrain and fertile agricultural lands, which are well-suited for growing a wide range of crops.”
Most farmers have incomplete tanks and reservoirs due to the difficulty in obtaining cement. According to Al- Waleedi, an engineering study was conducted to assess the needs of the targeted districts. The study found that there are approximately 170 reservoirs and tanks that require around 5,000 bags of cement.
He explained that the association received additional promises to reserve and secure ginger harvests with major farmers to facilitate expansion in the targeted areas. Financial payments were made to many farmers to ensure that the crop would not be sold or otherwise disposed of, with the remaining amount to be paid upon harvest and the value to be covered by the relevant authorities as per their promises. However, as with previous commitments, these promises were not fulfilled, causing significant harm to both the association and the farmers, including financial losses and delays in harvesting the crop, which disrupted the scheduled harvest season.
He pointed out that these procedures have led to a loss of trust among the producing farmers in the association, as well as among those whose lands were surveyed, assessed, and reserved for cultivation. The association has also found itself in a difficult position due to its promises to farmers to provide seeds, complete building the irrigation tanks, and market their products. As a result, the production levels of ginger and turmeric have declined significantly, after the district had previously achieved notable success and high levels of production in these crops.
According to the study presented by the association, which "Khuyut" reviewed," if the necessary resources are provided, ginger production could increase to approximately 40 tons. This would encourage farmers to shift away from qat cultivation in favor of ginger, utilize underexploited agricultural lands, and potentially export this successful model beyond the district. Whereas farmers, such as Mohammed Amin, stress the importance of creating a supportive environment to fully leverage Raymah’s agricultural potential. This includes supplying agricultural seedlings, curbing the influence of powerful elites and monopolistic exporters, and implementing effective mechanisms to protect the rights of farmers, consumers, and traders.
In this context, the Director of the Agriculture Office in the governorate mentioned that the project has not been halted. It involves improved loans and is being implemented in phases to ensure the rights of both creditors and debtors, and to guarantee the project's execution according to technical and engineering specifications that provide better economic benefits. He noted that in the coming weeks, the completion of 71 water tanks and reservoirs will begin, followed by two additional phases, each involving fifty tanks, bringing the total to 171 water tanks and reservoirs.
He further mentioned a plan aimed at establishing farmer field schools, noting that significant progress has been made in this regard. So far, at least fifty trainees have been trained, and around thirty field schools have been established, all within the framework of advancing agricultural extension services.
Wasted Water
The Raymah governorate, like many other Yemeni provinces, does not effectively utilize rainfall, and it may even surpass others in terms of wasted water. This is particularly concerning given that Raymah, despite suffering from neglect, is characterized by its diverse geographical terrain and fertile agricultural lands, which are well-suited for growing a wide range of crops. The governorate is also distinguished by specific markets to which the governorate’s crops are gathered, namely the Aluja and Al-Hadiyah markets. From these markets, products are sent to Bayt al-Faqih and then distributed to the capitals of other governorates and abroad.
Social activist and researcher Mansour Abu al-Fadl Mansour tells "Khuyut": "For many years, Raymah Governorate has long been at the forefront of agricultural provinces, maintaining its position as the second-largest coffee-producing governorate in Yemen. However, coffee production has declined in recent years due to several factors, including internal and external migration in search of employment, the devaluation of the product due to local market monopolies by major traders who purchase it at low prices." He also noted other major challenges, such as water scarcity, the lack of dams and water barriers, the high prices of agricultural pesticides, and the expansion of qat cultivation. Consequently, these issues require support and encouragement for farmers and the provision of necessary resources for land reclamation.
Official statistics indicate that the province's losses in 2020 due to floods washing away farms, homes, and roads amounted to 37 billion riyals. Between 20,000 and 30,000 coffee seedlings, as well as extensive areas of land used for vegetables, fruits, and various types of corn, were washed away and destroyed.
Al-Takrouri affirms that the Agriculture Office will work in the coming period on revitalizing agricultural cooperatives and associations, and enhancing the sector through water management plans, rare and cash crops, medicinal and aromatic plants, land reclamation, and the maintenance of agricultural terraces.
