Sanaa meeting pushes plan to boost Wheat production, cut import dependence

SANAA, April 20 (YPA) – A joint meeting held on Monday in Sanaa, chaired by Mohammed Al-Eidarous, head of the Shura council, and attended by acting minister of agriculture Ammar al-Karim, discussed measures to boost wheat and grain production and reduce reliance on imports.

In the meeting, the officials reviewed production conditions across several governorates and examined key challenges facing farmers, including shortages of agricultural equipment and difficulties in crop marketing.

Participants emphasized the need to support domestic output and urged wheat importers to purchase locally produced crops at incentivizing prices.

They warned that the influx of imported goods was undermining local production, stressing the importance of adopting policies to protect national agriculture. The meeting approved the formation of a joint committee to develop practical recommendations, including providing modern farming equipment and formulating a national strategy aimed at achieving self-sufficiency.

Discussions also highlighted concerns over the expansion of Qat cultivation at the expense of essential food crops, amid growing food security challenges in the country.

AA