Agriculture Ministry launches strategic project to expand wheat cultivation

SANAA, Oct. 21 (YPA) – Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation launched a strategic project to expand wheat cultivation in the mountainous heights and eastern areas.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture- Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Agricultural and Fishing Committee, Dr. Radwan Al-Rubai, explained the project, announced by the President of the Supreme Political Council, came within the framework of the directives and plans issued by the state to face any challenges in light of the accelerating international changes.

Al-Rubai stressed that 90,000 crops of millet and maize were planted in desert lands and its cross in Tihama, in addition to the cultivation of 4,921 hectares of desert lands in Jawf with sorghum.

He pointed out the importance of the project, which was started in two tracks, the first in the short term to meet the current challenges by focusing on farmers who own an irrigation source in environments suitable for growing wheat in the mountainous heights and eastern regions, while the second track was implemented in the medium and long term by focusing Research and production programs on rain-fed wheat cultivation to achieve self-sufficiency.

As part of the preparations for the wheat planting season, there is sufficient stock to meet the farmers’ needs of wheat seeds through the two grain institutions, the multiplication of improved seeds and the community unit at reasonable prices or white loans to farmers, he added.

Deputy Minister stated that an integrated plan had been prepared for the implementation stages of the project to expand wheat farming to keep pace with farmers’ needs for services with community participation, and in coordination with development partners from various official and community agencies.

AA