Fertile land in Yemen goes unused; investment opportunities found

Annual Yemen wheat imports mount to 95 percent of its needs.

Yemen annually imports between 90 to 95 percent of its wheat to bridge the gap between domestic production and requirements to meet citizens’ consumption needs of grain, wheat and flour, said the Chairman of the General Authority for Research and Extension, Dr. Ismail Muharram.

The causes of this gap in Yemen are due to the population’s 3.1 percent growth rate, limitations of agricultural land, the lack of farming land suitable for growing grains, and the need of farmers to cultivate crops with higher returns. Economic reform policies implemented by the government have also served to stop supporting agriculture and farmers. 

According to a report from the Trade and Industry Committee and Parliament, approximately 75 percent of arable land is not being utilized at the present time.

The report mentioned that the area of arable land is 2.4 million hectares. Twenty-five percent of that 2.4 million hectares has been cultivated despite a lack of rain and groundwater.

The committee prepared the report after field visits to a number of governorates in order to become aware of the difficulties and obstacles which investors face.

The report showed that investment is affected by the general political situation, economic- social circumstances, and security. The report mentioned that the door of investment is open widely due to the advantages granted by Yemeni investment law and the many investment opportunities which leave investors free to select their preferred field of investment in Yemen.

The commission’s report said that there are favorable political conditions encouraging investment in the country.

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